Two bands having pulled out, the final count of groups that will be participating in today’s Mashramani parade stands at 21, with 11 of those being from the Ministries and public sector floats, four belonging to the regions and six to the private sector.
Those private sector groups and individuals are Pulse Entertainment, Palm Court, Maxi Williams Designs, Ernest Illusion and Preston Paul, Tantrum Mash Entertainment and Don Gomes.
There is no appearance of the large groups that Guyanese usually anticipate seeing during this season including GT&T, Digicel, Hits and Jams, Banks DIH or ANSA McAl.
In the lead up to the festival, several organisations had indicated their non-participation this year, most notably ANSA McAl and Digicel Guyana. Digicel had attributed their decision to a focus on community building activities in the celebration of their 10th year in Guyana.
The pullout of these companies has reduced interest in this year’s line-up and the city has not been abuzz with excitement over the floats.