Georgetown: Mash Coordinator at the Mash Secretariat, Lennox Canterbury, registration for the Road March and the Float Parade competitions remains open as many persons have shown interest in participating in these competitions. Canterbury disclosed that many businesses are now trying to come on board, so the secretariat has decided to keep the registration open for a little while longer. “Presently, we have about 30 groups for the float parade and about 20 groups for the road march,” he said. Explaining, he said the song which wins the Road March competition is one that is the most played on the day of the float parade. “Everything is running smoothly so far but it’s not without its hindrances; but we have since had very good responses, [and] not only from our sponsors,” the coordinator said.
The coordinator added that each year, thousands of spectators gather alongside the annual Mashramani Float Parade route in Georgetown, but segments of the frollicking crowds have been encroaching on the parade, greatly slowing its pace towards the National Park. And as the Republic Day Mash celebrations keep getting larger in terms of revellers, floats and picnicking spectators, it is a growing challenge to work out the logistics to deal with the congestion of persons traversing the route, and slowing the parade to a drag.
Canterbury said that permission is usually given to persons who wish to operate food and beverage stalls on that day on Merriman Mall or on Vlissingen Road. However, it is important that Irving Street and Thomas Lands be kept clear of businesses and large picnicking groups, so as to give way to the costume and float parade. “We want to give the revellers and the companies who come out to showcase their creativity to do so and for the spectators to enjoy the floats also,” he said.
People, he related, travel from miles out of the city to be a part of the celebrations, which have developed into a huge fun and frolic spectacle with a large turnout of spectators, including families and a growing number of tourists, besides scores of food and beverage vendors.
The Mash coordinator said further, that the committee will be viewing the proceedings with an eye to determine whether a route change might be necessary in the future. He, however, noted that the committee is pleading with the public that they follow the procedures set out by the secretariat as well as by the Guyana Police Force.
In the meantime, the Mash committee is imploring the public to be mindful of keeping the roads free of congestion to give way to the parade.
You must be logged in to post a comment.