The city streets came alive for Mash 2019

Feb 24, 2019 News

Guyanese and tourists were treated to fair weather yesterday as thousands of persons gyrated down the road through the city of Georgetown.
Energetic persons flocked the streets moving their body to the beat of various music sounds. All of this excitement was in celebration of Guyana’s 49 years as a republic country.
Republic Day, better known as Mashramani, was staged under the theme, “Celebrate Mash 49 with Victory in Mind”. This year’s Mashramani celebrations saw 28 registered floats joining the parade of the festivities.
The various bands crowded the streets in exotic colors and tramped down to the road. The parade route which was lengthened this year, started at the western end of Carifesta Avenue then to Kitty Roundabout. It continued along Vlissengen road to the D’Urban Park.
Local entertainment was at its best yesterday, as Guyanese came out in their numbers to get a glimpse of the brilliantly decorated floats.
The designers went out of their way to display their amazing talents and creativity.
The floats included those from the 10 Administrative Regions, the various ministries and those private sector entities.
Minister of Health Volda Lawrence led her band as the ‘guardian angel of health.’
Minister Lawrence was decked out in nurse’s attire jollily pulling her float behind her. She highlighted the importance of nurses and doctors who work day in and day out, sometimes far from home to keep the nation in good health and strength
The lyrical sounds of the masqueraders were not silenced. The masquerade bands serenaded Georgetown. Drummers, flautists and dancers rhythmically flounced their way into D’Urban Park.
Patriotism was in abundance. Most of the floats paid homage to the country’s national symbols.
Some of the revelers that accompanied the floats were decked out in elaborate costumes. They brought their hype and energy which was even transferred to others as they all joined in.
Tourists who had come out to witness the spectacle decided not to be left out of the excitement this year. Many of them were seen as part of the bands, adorned in their colors. For some it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The partygoers who were not part of the floats added sparkles to their faces, tied cloths on their arms and legs as they ‘wuk up’ to the tunes of ‘Machel Montano’, ‘Jumo’, Brandon Harding, and especially ‘Vanilla’.
While the songs were blasting away the revellers danced energetically and proudly waved the Golden Arrowhead. Some even held the hand of the person standing next to them, uniting with Guyana’s Motto: One People, One Nation, and One Destiny.
Many painted the colours of the Guyana flag on their faces or did a hairstyle which included the colours of the national flag.
Food vendors flooded the streets providing revelers with more than an adequate supply of food and drinks.
There were those who lined the roadway with their picnic baskets of home cooked meals.
Also on sale were hats and T-shirts and the national flag. These were bought by many for souvenir purposes.
Yesterday’s celebration was deemed a success by many. The police presence at the Float Parade was substantial, with the officers ensuring that some degree of safety and order was maintained. They assisted persons in any way they could along the way, especially keeping out a sharp eye for idlers.
As the day’s activities came closer to an end, persons walked hurriedly down to D’Urban Park to reserve their seats and to get a final glimpse of the costume bands.
Of course, that was where the Golden Arrowhead was flying high having been hoisted hours before.

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