MISS Santa Cruz Rose Brescino was crowned Miss Moruca 2016 when the curtains came down on the annual Moruca Expo on Saturday night.The exposition, which attracted both local and overseas visitors, featured a number of events, including a Gospel Fest.
That event was held on Thursday evening for the first time in the history of the expo and drew support from several church denominations in the region.
The following day football action at the Santa Rosa Recreational Ground saw several communities within Moruca competing for bragging rights as the best team in the area. At the end, the Hurradiah footballers came out on top as the community prepared for a calypso competition later that evening.
According to spokesman, Graham Atkinson, this year’s winner, Ingrid Harris –Chappelle, who goes by the stage name Miss Devotee, out-sang her competitors with her song which centred on Guyana’s sovereignty.

On Saturday, a number of events were held, including a road race between villagers from various parts of the Moruca Sub-Region.
The four km all-male race which saw athletes run the distance between the villages of Acquero and Kumaka, was dominated by the boys from Kwebanna in all categories.
During the day on Saturday, residents competed in aquatic events outside Kumaka and mixed results were produced with the competitors from the communities of Manawarin and Hobo being winners.
In the hot-pot event, Santa Rosa’s Trevor Harris out-ate his competitors to win the title in that event. His brother Eugene Harris was victorious in the crab-quake making event.
When the sun set on Saturday, all roads led to the Santa Rosa Recreational Ground where contestants competed in the Miss Moruca Pageant. The competition commenced shortly after 20:30 hrs in various categories, including a talent piece, traditional wear, beach wear, evening wear and an intelligence segment.
In the end, it was Brescino who won the hearts of the judges and was crowned Miss Moruca 2016 around midnight on Saturday. First runner-up winner was Miss Kwebanna, Indranie Hacket while Miss Manawarin Nikita Fredericks grabbed the second runner-up post.
Atkinson said that the events this year were well-attended, all credit to the Organising Committee. Minister of indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, was in attendance and he also provided areas which could be improved.
There were complaints about seating arrangements for the audience and Atkinson noted that it is one of several areas carded for improvement.
He said that the exposition received positive views from those who attended.
This year, visitors from the city and as far as Berbice and Linden were in attendance, and according to Atkinson, the trend is one in which persons would return home to Moruca several days in advance to be present at the exposition.
The Moruca Expo has been on the annual calendar of cultural events over the past 12 years .The event is seen as a catalyst to develop the tourism potential of Moruca.