Mathematics was well-ventilated yesterday as Guyana’s children took to the streets of Georgetown for the annual Children’s Costume and Float Parade.
Though this year’s parade attracted nine fewer participants than last year’s, Sunday Stabroek observed that several of the competing participants displayed costumes and floats that focused heavily on Mathematics.
One such was Graham’s Hall Primary School, whose revelers were adorned in vibrant orange and black costumes accompanied with a banner that read, “Maths is Fun.” And as if their colours were not captivating enough, the revelers were well received by the crowd after they broke out in a dance number.
Other notable participants that sought to promote Mathematics included Smyth Street Nursery, Belle West Primary and Thomas Moore Primary.
Other costumes and floats depicted a wide array of concepts as young revelers feted through the streets, much to the delight of the spectators, old and young alike, who lined the route, between Parade Ground and the National Park. Many others still, took up seats inside the National Park where the bands made their final presentations before a panel of judges.
The band categories were Nursery, Primary, Secon-dary, Other Children’s Organizations and Regional Presentation, while there was also Individual Presentation.
Another popular band depiction was “Green Economy” which was highlighted by Sophia Primary, Lodge Secondary, St John’s College and the Department of Education Region 1.
Costumed in white and blue outfits, students of the Sophia Primary paraded with a banner designed with a tagline that read, “Water in the Green Economy.”
Lodge Secondary displayed costumes designed to resemble solar panels, as their banner promoted the use of Green energy, while St John’s College displayed what their banner described as “Solar Invasion.”
Though the majority of the contingents were small in number, the Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division Youth Group may have very well had the largest band. According to Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken who walked along with the Youth Group, the contingent exceeded 150 youth.
Not to be left behind, both St Angela’s Primary and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Hinterland Scholarship Students, brought the hype with their colourful costumes and dance numbers.
Displaying well-coordinated moves, of St Angela’s pupils were costumed in gold and purple outfits and led by a float that spoke to this year’s Mashramani theme, “Celebration with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity.”
Those from the Hinterland Scholarship programme wowed the crowd as they danced to the music of popular Brazilian artiste Pepe Moreno.
However, the day was not without incident as several revelers needed medical attention after fainting, some along the parade route and others on arrival at the National Park.
