HUNDREDS gathered yesterday in Main Street, Georgetown and its environs to witness the annual Courts Christmas Concert and Tree-lighting ceremony, as usual, presented by the furniture and appliances mega-store’s main branch on Main Street.This year’s theme for the activity was ‘Feel like a kid again’. The programme formally commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, after which a series of entertainment pieces regaled the crowd, which filled almost the entire main street area.

Proceedings were chaired by radio personality Nurriyih Gerrard and DJ Akelo Elliot, and the appreciative crowd was entertained by acts such as the National School of Dance, Happy Feet Dance Group, Courts Choir, Jovinski Thorne, Calvin Burnett, the 2015 Soca Monarch Jomo Primo, and the National Steel Orchestra.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes did the grand honours of activating the switch that turned on the lights, done by an app via her mobile phone. That act magically transformed the shadowy street into a luminous lane.

The minister joined First Lady Sandra Granger in wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and thanked Courts for signalling the beginning of the festive season in Guyana.

“The lightning of the tree signals Christmas — a time of love, joy, hope and sacrifice,” said First Lady Mrs Granger, as she went on to make a biblical reference taken from the Book of St Matthew, chapter 2 verses 9-11.

The First Lady was also gifted a $100,000 cheque towards her Women Across Differences (WAD) organisation.

Courts Managing Director Clyde DeHaas thanked all Guyanese, particularly customers, for their participation in the evening’s activities, and encouraged them to continue to shop at Courts for a chance to receive the grand prizes the superstore has to offer for the holidays.

Winner of the Courts’ ‘What would you do with $1M’, Fanela Persaud, entered the competition through her cash purchase of a gas stove, won one million dollars, and told the audience that she was giving the money to her parents for the Christmas. Her win ushered in what some considered as the most “magical” part of the evening’s proceedings.

Courts also crowned its Road Show singing and dancing champions, the Euphoria Dance Group and Jaeuonah and Ronnel, who proved to the audience why they were crowned the Courts’ Road Show 2015 champions.

Santa and his team made a grand appearance on a well-lit and beautifully decorated truck as they shared sweets and other goodies to children. Santa and his team brought along a huge amount of confetti, which contributed to making the event even more magical and ushered in the Christmas feeling with a bang.

By Clestine Juan