As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the National Weather Service in Tafuna was forecasting showers tonight for American Samoa, at a time when many residents are looking forward to the 4th of July fireworks display over Pago Harbor, set to close off today’s youth day celebration, as well as the holiday.

Host for Youth Month and today’s events, the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) remains hopeful for good weather not only for the day time activities, but tonight’s fireworks, which are scheduled after entertainment at Utulei Beach.

As of press time, the fireworks display is set to go on as scheduled, with fireworks sponsor Bluesky Communications country manager, Lewis Wolman telling Samoa News yesterday afternoon, that “unless there is lightening, the show goes on.”

Heavy rain drenched Tutuila yesterday morning up to early afternoon prompting the Weather Office to issue a ‘flood advisory’ that was in effect until late in the afternoon.

Meteorologist Elinor Lutu McMoore with the weather service says there is a trough over the islands and the” weather models are keeping it over us” up to today, but “we’re a bit optimistic that there will be change” with improved weather tonight.

McMoore acknowledged that residents are looking for good weather conditions today saying, however, that the weather service is forecasting showers up until tonight. The good news is, there should be times when there is a break in the rain. She says most of the showers were expected to occur last night.

By 3 p.m. yesterday, the DYWA was keeping in touch with the weather service for any updates on the weather leading up to tonight’s fireworks event.

Bluesky, which has partnered with DYWA for Youth Month, donated $15,000 to DYWA, specifically toward the cost of the fireworks event. Of interest, the amount of “15” — corresponds to Bluesky’s 15th anniversary of doing business in the Territory, which they plan on celebrating in a big way, with lots of special prices on their products and services.

WHO’S OPEN, WHO’S CLOSED, LIST OF ACTIVITIES

Today is Independence Day, July 4, and because it is a federal holiday, all government offices, agencies and the US Post Office will be closed, in addition to both local financial institutions.

Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga has already proclaimed today as Youth Day, and the month of July as Youth Month in the territory.

Today’s festivities, spearheaded by the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs, will kick off with a parade from the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, heading towards the Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei. The parade will include an estimated 1,500 youth, led by Lt. Governor Lemanu and the Boy Scouts.

Games will kick off at 10:20 a.m. while lunch will be served at noon, the same time as the scheduled Youth Ethnic Group performances.

The official day program will conclude at 1:30 p.m. before the youth gather at the Utulei Beach again at 5:30 p.m. where there will be many group performances, all culminating with a special fireworks show sponsored by Bluesky Communications.

There will be no print issue of Samoa News tomorrow; printing will resume on Monday, July 7. Check the website for breaking news and updates.