The Children’s Costume Parade saw enthusiasm and flair when 60 participants, competing in six categories, feted their way through the streets to the National Park last Saturday.
The costumes depicted a wide array of concepts, all under this year’s Mashramani theme, “Celebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty.”
The costumed participants made their way from the Parade Ground along the spectator-crowded Lamaha Street and then congregated on the tarmac of the National Park, where they concluded with a brief performance before a panel of judges.
Those participating did so in the categories of ‘Nursery Band,’ ‘Primary Band,’ ‘Secondary Band,’ ‘Individual Presentation,’ ‘Other Children’s Organisation’ and ‘Regional Presentation.’ They danced, marched and performed acrobatic stunts before stands filled with onlookers.
After a day of rest and anticipation, the results naming the winners and runner-ups for each of the named categories were released by the Ministry of Education yesterday.
In the Nursery Band category, Smyth Street Nursery, whose league of angels depicted the theme ‘Angels of Love – A Ray of Hope,’ copped the first place prize of a trophy and $80,000. In second place was Roxanne Burnham Nursery with ‘Diversity of Flowers Blooming in Unity’ winning a trophy and $60,000; East Street Nursery’s ‘Celebration Pot’ came in third, while Head Start Nursery’s ‘Jubilation A Joyous Celebration’ was third. They won a trophy and $40,000 and a trophy, respectively
In the Primary Band category, St Stephen’s Primary, with its float, ‘Defending our Sovereignty—Not one Cuirass, Not a Drop O’ Water,’ took home the winning prize of a trophy and $100,000. North Georgetown Primary’s ‘All A We Mashing in We Jubilee’ came second and Sophia Primary’s ‘Not One Blue Sackie’ third, each winning trophies and $80,000 and $60,000 respectively. St Agnes Primary was fourth with ‘Unity Through Diversity’, winning a trophy.
Tutorial High School won a trophy and $100,000 first prize for its band, which was titled, ‘A Celebration of Music.’ Cummings Lodge Secondary was second with ‘Together we Celebrate our Nation’s Achievement’, winning a trophy and $80,000; Queen’s College won a trophy and $60,000 with ‘Celebrating Our Diversity Through Culture & Ethnicity Golden Jubilee’ which came in third. St John’s College ‘Royal Celebration’ won a trophy for placing fourth.
In the Individual presentations category, Cassie McKenzie of Belle West Primary, with her float depicting a ‘Golden 50,’ will receive the prize of one trophy and a $30,000 gift voucher. Chateau Margot Primary’s representative with the float ‘Lightning Queen’ was second, while Jaden Broomes with ‘Eldorado Sparkles in its 50th Glory’ came in third. They will each receive a trophy and gift vouchers worth $20,000 and $10,000 respectively. Goed Fortuin Primary’s representative with ‘School Days Too Sweet’ came in fourth and won a trophy.
Under ‘Other Children’s Organisations,’ The National School of Dance copped the top prize of a trophy and $100,000 with its float, ‘Welcoming the Year of the Jaguar.’ Second and third places went to Craft Production and Design Division’s float ‘Celebrating Craft and Tourism Through Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty at Mashramani’ and David Rose School for Handicapped’s ‘Children Jubilee Splendour.’ They will receive trophies along with $80,000 and $60,000 respectively. Guyana Police Youth Groups ‘A’ Division’s ‘Fusing Our Cultural Heritage Through Independence’ came in fourth.
Finally, the trophy for the best Regional Presentation went to Region 4, Demerara- Mahaica, for its depiction of ‘Unification of our Cultural Heritages—Celebration of Freedom.’ Region 3 Essequibo Islands/West Demerara’s ‘3Bs and A Garden,’ Region 10 Upper Demerara/Berbice’s ‘Proud to be Fifty’ and Region 5 Mahaica/West Berbice’s ‘Expressions of Protection, Togetherness and Development’ were second, third and fourth respectively and will each receive a trophy as well.
