After public outcry over the short distance of the 2017 Mashramani route, which would have seen revelers moving off from the Stabroek Market Square and marching to the D’Urban Park, an extension of the route of the parade has been announced.
The starting point of the February 23rd Mashramani parade will now be Avenue of the Republic and Church Street. This information was related by the Mash event coordinator Lennox Canterbury on Thursday.
Canterbury explained that the bands will travel south on the western carriageway of Avenue of the Republic from the junction of Church Street, then head east up Brickdam and proceed to D’Urban Park, where they will circle the tarmac. The bands’ exit will be through the north eastern gate of D’Urban Park, which opens onto Homestretch Avenue. From there, they will proceed toward the Cultural Centre, which has been identified as the point of disbandment.
On January 17th, the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture announced that there would be a change in the Mashramani route from its traditional path to the route taken last May for the country’s 50th jubilee parade celebrations.
Traditionally, the Mashramani parade would begin at Camp and Church streets, proceed east and then north into Irving Street, continuing onto JB Lachmansingh Road, then west onto Thomas Lands and from there the revelers would congregate at the National Park.
The route proposed then would have begun at the Stabroek Market Square, from where the parade would proceed along Brickdam to the D’Urban Park, which is much shorter in length.
Among the reasons cited for the change of route for the parade were issues of security, the possibility of interference with development work at the Merriman’s mall, the historical significance of the route, it being youth-friendly and an improved viewing experience offered by D’Urban Park.
At a press conference held a few days after the ministry’s announcement, Canterbury had stated that while plans were in place, the ministry was open to suggestions for adjustments.
