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Despite the threat of rains earlier yesterday, the National Park was packed to capacity. Thousands gathered to view the large procession of revelers who took to the streets in the usual showcase of colour and celebration in observance Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.Under the theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration,” revelers danced and paraded around the National Park’s tarmac in colourful pieces of costumes to the amusement of the large crowd of onlookers gathered at the venue. They had already tramped through the streets of Georgetown.Amongst the 27 bands in this year’s parade were Qualfon Guyana Incorporated, the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, the Chinese Association, Fly Jamaica/Honest Illusion Multimedia, Slingshot and his band, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Pulse entertainment and U-Mobile Cellular Incorporated.Large processions included those from the People Progressive Party, (PPP) band, the Ministry of Housing and Water,wholesale jerseys, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Coalition Party A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC), the Guyana Defence Force and bands from Regions Three, Five, Six, and Ten.Noticeably absent from this year’s Costume Parade and Road March competition was Banks DIH Limited and Ansa Mc AL’s Carib beer revelers.Spectators were entertained by the dancing, drumming, steel pans performances which accompanied the float parade showpieces into the National Park. Members of the audience raised their flags in delight at the appearances of those Digicel (Guyana) Road March band; their exuberant display of colours was an instant crowd pleaser.Other noteworthy and entertaining showcases came from Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport whose band was led by Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and local soca sensation, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.The two main political parties, PPP and the newly formed APNU/AFC appeared to be in full campaign mode as they came out with their full entourage of supporters. The PPP had noticeably the largest procession of supporters out yesterday. However, participants from the APNU/AFC created quite a stir as they entered the tarmac; the crowd waved the Golden Arrowhead wildly and cheered loudly at the sight of the coalition. Persons were seen soliciting photo opportunities with members of both political groups.This year’s celebrations seemed to have attracted a larger crowd. In addition to the revelers, scores of people thronged the streets and stood outside the National Park in an attempt to get a glimpse of the float parade.One spectator noted that this year’s turnout was good but some of the costumes left much to be desired.“There is also need for more local music instead of Caribbean soca. We would prefer some more of our own,” the spectator noted. Another person expressed disappointment; she said that Mash scene has become redundant. “Mash is so repetitive, the same thing every year. I think there is room for much more creativity …The theme was so broad compared to last year. There was a reduction in the number of bands compared to previous years I didn’t feel the excitement this year”Some persons seemed to totally enjoy themselves. “The bands came bigger and better this year, especially Ministry of Health. It was a very eye catching band!” “It’s crazy! The boom truck tun up!” one person shouted.There were those who expressed disappointment that political parties took their campaign strategy to the celebrations. “It is sad that they would use Mash as a platform to campaign,” one observer noted. |
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