Children’s Mash 2018 a huge success

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DPI, Guyana, Saturday, February 17, 2018

In excess of 2,000 students, teachers and administrators from the 11 school districts took to the streets this morning, jumping and prancing from Parade Ground to the National Park in celebration of the country’s 48th Republic anniversary.

This year’s children’s float parade was observed under the theme ‘Let’s cooperate and celebrate Republic 48’.  It saw scores of spectators lining the roadways and filling seats at the closing venue to get a glimpse of the more than 50-strong band that traversed the designated route. They moved from Parade Ground, east into Middle street, north into Camp Street, east into Lamaha Street, north into Albert Street and then into the National Park. A team from the Ministry of Education including Minister Nicolette Henry led the procession.

Gyrating to pulsating sounds of this year’s Soca monarch contenders the Nursey participants showcased the six races, while the Primary and secondary displayed our flora and fauna and industries respectively. Other groups showcased Guyana’s cultural festivals.

During the colourful exhibition, the Ministry of Public Health took the opportunity to launch its “‘Ironman’ anaemia awareness campaign” under the theme Laden with colours of our flora and fauna, let’s all join the fight, eat right, look bright, stop anaemia.”

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) Minister Henry commended all the contributions made by companies, and parents that ensured the event was successful. The Minister said she was satisfied with this year’s turnout to the parade and indicated that this serves as a curtain raiser for the National float and costume parade which will be held on Friday, February 23. “For the big Mashramani day we have to bring out those who would have been the winners, so I intend to have another great day,” the Minister said.

Coordinator for the children’s ‘Mash’ parade, Lorraine Barker-King noted that “we know for sure the regions now have taken cognizance of the expressive arts and they are trying in every way to participate in these activities, hence the costumes are of high quality.” She expressed confidence that “for sure next year we are coming bigger and better.”

Those who turned out in their numbers to witness the day’s event marvelled at some of the cultural displays that have been coordinated by school teachers and students. Every one took photographs of the ‘bright’ groups that lit up the roadways in their many colours.

Some of the troupes that stole the attention of the crowd were from Regions Three, Four and Nine and the students of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme who gracefully depicted the pride and culture of the first peoples’ in Guyana.

The DPI caught up with some of the spectators who all shared enthusiasm and excitement about the festivity. “I like it much better this time, the children are more uniformed, not with their skin out; they look nice and I admire them,” Cloe Adams said.

“I normally bring my children out they love it, it more exciting this year, more bigger and better this year,” Tyson Huckey said.

“This is something special today, special! I’m a 94-year-old and I’m enjoying every minute of it,” Lloyd DeFreitas said.

Nearly all of the bands representing schools were sponsored by major contributors including Banks DIH, who played an overall role in the success of the event.

The children’s ‘Mash’ parade is the culmination of over a month of activities hosted by the Ministry of Education. These activities are rolled out at the local, regional and national levels and include competitions in dance, song, dramatic poetry and masquerade.

 

By: Delicia Haynes