Kite flying celebrations around the country sees good turnout

Apr 07, 2015 News

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…Thousands flock No. 63 Beach
Thousands of Guyanese flocked the Number 63 Beach yesterday in what has become an Easter Monday tradition. Hundreds of vehicles lined the famous beach as a traffic mayhem commenced at the Beach entrance, with traffic ranks attached to the ‘B’ Division having had to control traffic flowing from the directions of New Amsterdam and Skeldon.
On the beach, several sounds and colours were evident, as music coming from various sound systems and vehicles pounded the atmosphere.  Families could be seen enjoying the atmosphere, eating and imbibing, while several vendors sold their foods and beverages. Beverage giants such as Banks DIH had booths while the kids enjoyed trampolines, face painting, merry-go-round and other games.
Others opted to enjoy the warm, brown waters of the beach, as they enjoyed swimming.
Then there were the kites that illuminated the Corentyne skies. Passing through the crowds shortly after 14:00 hrs was President Donald Ramotar and a team of government ministers, including Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall. They were also accompanied by Region Six Chairman, Mr. David Armogan.
Several persons took the opportunity to have photographic moments with the President, as he was even stopped and presented with a kite that bared the colours of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the images of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan.
The Guyanese leader then visited the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) booth to present the winners of the Kite competition with their trophies and prizes. The winner of the Most Unusual Kite Category was Mrs. Nandranie Kishun. She won a trophy and a night for two at City Inn Hotel of Corriverton. Her kite was octagon- shaped bearing images of developments under the PPP/C Administration over the past 22 years. Speaking to this newspaper, she said she has been participating in such competitions over the past years and that her winning kite is 18 years old, only that she keeps sprucing it up each year, making little modifications.
The Second Best Unusual Kite award was presented to Totaram Tillack. His kite was in the shape of a jet plane.
The smallest kite, which one had to really look closely to see, was presented by Ms. Felicity Smith of New Amsterdam. She won herself a trip for two to tour the Essequibo River, as well as a trophy.
The second- smallest kite award was presented to Brandon Shivpaul, while Keerat Tassim won the largest kite category, with a 60- foot gigantic kite. He won himself a trip to Kaieteur Falls. And the final winner for the afternoon was Y. Dhanraj who won Second Largest kite award, adorned with the colours on the flag of Guyana.
The awards and prizes were handed over by President Ramotar, assisted by President of GTA, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh.

National Park turnout sees dramatic increase
Easter Monday has come and gone and though there has been a consensus that Easter has been on the decline over the years, the sheer number of people at the National Park yesterday told a different story.
There were many personalities evident as Kaieteur news took a walk around. The usual turnout of picnicking families and screaming children were present, as well as the commercial element.
Many Guyanese, viewing Easter as a golden business opportunity, took to the park with their goods. There were beverages, ice-cream and of course, kites for sale, though if the truth be told patrons would have already come armed with their kites.
One icicle vendor gave an abject lesson in marketing. As patrons passed him, his favorite catchphrase caused many heads to turn.
“Its long, it’s hard, get it before it gets soft!” He would shout, holding up an icicle, to the amusement of the patrons.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Presidential candidate David Granger also showed up with his Youths for David Granger group, greeting patrons as he made his rounds. There were chants of support until Granger was out of sight.

‘West Side’ Park attracts modest kite flying crowd
Easter Monday is a national holiday that represents, within the Christian Religion, the day that Jesus Christ was resurrected. Christ, believed to be the saviour of the world, had three days earlier been crucified, according to biblical stories.
However, like a number of other holidays, observed nationally, the celebration of Easter has become more than just about the Christians. As such the kite flying activities across the country sees persons from various race, religions and ages participating.
In fact, Easter Monday over the years has become a ‘family outing’ tradition. This was particularly evident at the Joe Vieira Park, West Bank Demerara, yesterday. Situated at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the ‘West Side’ Park, while not filled to capacity, as in previous years, saw a modest crowd of colourfully decked individuals who chose that location to celebrate.
The celebration at the Joe Vieira Park has for many years been the place to be for kite flyers from various sections of Region, many of whom reside in proximity.  However, those who choose to celebrate there have not been limited to residents within the Region.
In fact this publication was able to find out that among those at the Park yesterday came from as far as Diamond, East Bank Demerara and even Georgetown.
Nevertheless, the venue, though uneven, ash-covered (due to recent burning of overgrowth in preparation for the celebration) and too soft in some sections, certainly was a celebratory atmosphere.
The sunny weather, complete with winds conducive for kite flying, allowed for kites, in different colours and sizes, to become easily airborne.  There were, however, some kite flyers who had immense difficulties getting their kites off the ground.
But while kite flying was the main feature of the day, it certainly was not the sole pastime engaged by those who flocked to the Joe Vieira Park.
Although foods and drinks were on sale in abundance, there were several who opted to bring their own in order to have a good old fashion picnic with their family members. Some chose strategic spots under trees to partake in their Easter meals or simply sip on a beverage or perhaps quite a few.
Blasting music transformed the environment into a party environment. But the presence of trampolines, fully occupied by children, gave the impression of a Children’s Fun Park. There was rarely a sad face.
But while it seemed safe in terms of security within the Park, the presence of Community Policing ranks were very evident. Outside of the Park too there were police ranks managing the very modest traffic.
And word from several from those celebrating yesterday at the Park was that they were more than satisfied with the choice they made – the Joe Vieira Park.

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