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Main Street is a must-visit when in the capital city
O’ Beautiful Guyana!
By Davina Bagot
Kaieteur News – Built since the 1890’s, Guyana’s Main Street is a key avenue in the Capital city of Georgetown.
Main Street in the early 1920’s (photo credit: Visit Guyana)
The avenue came to life, bursting with colours and flavour in September, as a Regional Food Festival kicked off as part of Guyana’s festivities for Cricket Carnival.
Main Street buzzing with customers in search of the perfect piece for Emancipation Day celebrations back July this year
A recent image of breathtaking Main Street avenue
Research shows that this street, when first constructed in 1897, was originally named the ‘Queen Victoria Promenade’ by the then Mayor and Town Council. This street, formerly a walkway, was also the venue for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in June 1953. But even before this development took place, this newspaper learnt that Main Street was actually a canal where citizens would frequently take a swim.
In the last century, the National Library, Bank of Guyana, the Walter Roth Museum, the Prime Minister’s residence and War Memorial were added to the avenue. Fast forward to today, several nightspots, restaurants and other businesses have joined Main Street. It has been said that Main Street got its name since it is a key avenue that connects to several others in Georgetown. The parallel road can be found between Water and Carmichael Streets. It is bordered by Church Street and Lamaha Street.
Main Street over the years have been a major attraction to locals, as very often, the avenue comes to life with a rainbow of colourful art pieces, cultural clothing and skilfully made jewellery, along with delicious Guyanese food and beverages. If the colours don’t manage to draw your attention, the fragrance of a just-off-the-fire Guyanese cook-up just might!
Besides these usual attractions, Main Street is also used as a main route for parades and other awareness walks that have become more popular in recent days. For instance, each year Courts Guyana hosts its Christmas parade and ‘Light up’ where thousands of children and adults line the roadways to see Santa Claus. The fun doesn’t end there as ‘seasonal junkies’ await the minute the trees light up along the avenue.
Additionally, and though it has not been held for a few years due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Main Street is also popularly known for Guyana’s event of the year ‘Big Lime’. This was usually hosted on December 26 each year and was the perfect family outing for those who were simply bored of being home for the protracted holiday season.
Despite the avenue being a hotspot during the Christmas season, it remains the perfect spot for a romantic evening walk throughout the year, though it may not be buzzing with these exciting experiences that no doubt captivate both locals and tourists. In fact, even singles enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the avenue at nights.
It would also not be strange to see newlyweds posing for the camera along Main Street due to the serene atmosphere there, or fitness enthusiasts taking a jog in the afternoons. Hundreds of pedestrians use the avenue each day on their commute to or from work or even school.
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