Fun and sun as revellers gear up for the road

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, February 23, 2018

Camp Road was a hive of activity early this morning as revellers assembled, and band trucks tuned up to head down the Mash route

Although the bands did not move until close to midday, the waiting revellers spent the time putting final touches on their costumes and practising dance moves.

Ministry of Business’s Department of Tourism band rehearsing dance moves.

Local Soca artist Vanilla, who is leading the Ministry of Natural Resources band, said she is campaigning to win that road march crown this year. “Well right now, oh gosh I’m hyped up. I’m pumped up. I’m waiting for the road I’m excited for the road”, Vanilla told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

On the lawns of Queens College, the youths from the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra were tuning their pans. Chaperone, Natasha Hassan, said fun is on the agenda for the 28 youngsters who will be playing steelpan music along the mash route.

Also tuning up in the school’s compound was the Berbice Youth Mash Band. In vibrant gold costumes, Savonda Barkley and Tishana Smart said they are ready to represent Berbice. “Fun, fun and more fun,” was on Barkley’s agenda for the day. “I would say the same thing fun, enjoy yourself and do your thing out there”, was Smart’s expectation for the day.

Over Camp Road, at Everest Ground, party trucks were setting up their sound systems. “A lot of fun and a lot of sunburn”, was the expectation of Pulse Entertainment CEO Robbie Singh. “I anticipate excitement, fun, nice music and liquor”, Faydeha King leader the float for the Pulse/GTT band said.

Anticipation slowly built as more mash bands assembled at the starting point transforming Camp Road into a kaleidoscope of colours and a cacophony of sounds. Competition was also rife. Ministry of Health reveller Rohanna Charles was confident a win was in the bag for her band. “We are winners, so we going out there with the excitement to perform and do our duties and look good”, she said.

Guyanese of all ages, sizes and persuasions mingled together helping each other apply glitter, adjust costumes and infect each other with the Mash hype. Big bands with elaborate costumes were side by side with masquerades all ready to put on a show as they head down the road to the final stop at the D’Urban Park.

“Going out there, we expecting to give a good performance,” Michael Glasgow of the Victoria Renegades masquerade band shouted as he prepared to move off.

Pluse/GTT revellers getting face painted.

Victoria Regenade masquerade band.

 

Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra during last minute rehearsals.

Tishana Smart and Savonda Barkley.

 

Revellers hydrating.

Party trucks waiting for take off.

 

Faydeha King.

Soca artist Vanilla.

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius

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