Latest update June 15th, 2026 12:10 AM
Mashramani float parade lacking corporate sponsorship
The culmination of Mashramani, the float parade, may not be as grand this year as it was last year, since many of the corporate sponsors are not supporting Mashramani as they should, or are at least opting out of taking part in the float parade.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Frank Anthony, confirmed that a number of companies were not coming on board with the float parade, and that his ministry was disappointed at the poor response.
“If certain companies do not want to come on board, we cannot force them,” said the minister.
At the launching of Mashramani 2009, he had said, “Could you believe that there are organisations that have never participated in a float parade? Maybe it’s our fault, because we have not been stringent enough in our efforts in this regard.”
He said that a number of different Government Ministries and representatives from the various regions would be having floats in the parade, and this would help supplement the number of floats in the parade.
The minister noted that there would be delegations coming to participate in the float parade from both the United Kingdom and New York. He added that Hits and Jams would also have a float in the parade.
There will be participation from Christian groups, noted Dr Anthony. He said that they always participate in the float parade, but this year they are expected to come out in greater numbers. “The fact that we will have three different steel bands in the parade this year,” said the minister, “will add a different dimension to the celebrations.”
While some large companies are not joining the float parade, Dr Anthony said, they have pledged support in other areas of Mashramani, including the calypso competition and the masquerade competition.
One of the features of the calypso competition will be a special calypso category which will deal with the HIV/AIDS virus.
The minister said that all of the competitions had suitable sponsorship, but the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will ‘fill in the gaps’ if necessary.
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