The Main Big Lime has now established itself as a kind of seasonal institution – an integral part of the Christmas calendar. It is the major public event of the season.
The idea behind The Main Big Lime – which is organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce – is to showcase Guyana to visitors, including overseas-based Guyanese, who spend Christmas here. It provides an opportunity to showcase Georgetown in a positive light particularly a section of Georgetown which has been much maligned over the years.
Conceptually it is a splendid idea for two reasons. First, apart from Mashramani – which, of course is an event on an entirely different nature – there is no major public urban event that allows the city to showcase itself. Secondly, since Guyana’s tourism product is located mostly in the rainforest and interior areas, an event like the Main Big Lime would at least provide visitors with an opportunity to experience such attractions as the capital has to offer.
It would, of course, be difficult for the Main Big Lime not to be used as an excuse for a party. Music and drink probably rank among the more lucrative urban businesses in Guyana today and whatever the other reasons for the event being brought into play the Main Big Lime has become – among other things- an excuse for a fete.
This of course is not to say that the event must be dominated by “tearaway” revellry. There is room at the Main Big Lime, for example, for tasteful cultural events (one businessman has actually suggested a masquerade competition) and perhaps even for events like poetry reading, skits and art exhibitions. Granted, everyone is unlikely to be interested in these cultural events in which case the programme can be planned in such a manner as to ensure that there is something in it for everyone.
That was not the case on Boxing Day. Indeed, the whole affair appeared to have been given over to the revellers and the noise that was emitting from the “boom boom boxes” that dominated the event was loud enough to drive away those persons not accustomed to having their music played at that decibel level.
The few craft vendors who ventured to display their goods were given short shrift by the revellers who appeared decidedly more interested in the music, food and alcohol. This was a ‘lime’ in its truest Guyanese sense.