The recent killing sprees and the spectre of ‘Fineman’ certainly had an influence on this year’s Mashramani float parade, judging from the number of persons who turned out for the occasion.
However, although this year’s activities lacked the huge crowds and numerous revellers of previous years, some organisations must be complimented for their efforts at putting out some creative costumes and floats. Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Ministry of Health, Concept Entertainment and the Digicel/Facts and Roses bands had the largest numbers of revellers.
The crowd along the route leading to the National Park was sparse compared to the previous years, as Guyanese seemed to be exercising choice, according to Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony.
The float parade moved off with a Christian band taking the lead around 10:30 from the usual Church and Camp streets junction. This included a live band and singers belting out gospel songs. The revellers in this band included gospel dancers and a float ‘The Bride of Christ,’ from the Full Gospel Fellowship church, which was a representation of Christ returning for His church. This was the only group, which included tourists. According to Pastor John Woolford, the foreigners said that they would not have cancelled their trip despite the country’s security situation.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) came next, followed by the Mayor and City Council.
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Guyana Forestry Commission came next with ‘Food for Thought: Going Green, Preserving our Children’s Future.’ Designer Deryck Moore said the theme of the parade focuses on the preservation of the ozone layer and our forests.
John ‘Slingshot’ Drepaul’s float was decked out with the vibrant colours of the Guyana flag. Slingshot said that his float symbolizes the fighting spirit of Guyanese; to rise above any circumstances.
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development was next, followed by Region Four’s ‘Pollination of Flowers’ depicting, according to designer Trevon Alfred, the interaction that needs to take place in society for betterment especially, in our agricultural sector.
Region Five’s float had a depiction of the Berbice Bridge.
Next was the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s well organised band, which included the national steel band, soca singer Big Red accompanied by a live band singing “On the Road Again”; a float portraying equipment for the various sporting disciplines and a large number of differently costumed revellers doing orchestrated dance sequences for the benefit of the judges. Minister Anthony joined them and danced down the road with them.
The Ministry of Health was a crowd favourite with its large band of revellers beautifully decked out and representing different divisions in the health sector. A large, resplendent float headed the ministry’s parade. Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that the float with a dark side, represented bad health practices and the light side, represented good health practices. Designer John Fernandes said the float took two weeks to complete.
Concept Entertainment with “Celebrating Natural Beauty” and Digicel’s Greek Mythology theme were also well received.
According to Facts and Roses’ Trevor Rose, the depiction of Greek myths is something he always wanted to do. Led by a horse and chariot the Trojan soldiers made their way through the streets with a view to “win the war” once again.
