An Explosion of colour and movement and sound yesterday.(photos by CHronicle Photographers)

Thousands gathered early yesterday morning to be a part of Guyana’s 39th Republic Anniversary and immersed themselves in fun and frolic until the late afternoon hours.

Standing witness to the main event of the Mashramani celebrations, the crowds enjoyed the numerous creations depicting Guyanese talent and artistry in the costume and float parade.

The parade wended its way from the corner of Church and Camp Streets, moving east along Church Street and into Irving Street, and east into Thomas Lands, and then into the National Park.

There, in the categories of full costume, semi-costume and floats and animal drawn carts, the creations vied for the judges’ consideration as they transformed the National Park tarmac in a fairyland of movement and colour.

The parade saw designs coordinated by a number of organizations, including government ministries and churches and other entities.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, led by example as he, with his ministry’s float parade and live entertainment by ‘Big Red’, made merry under the title ‘It’s celebration time, let our spirits entwine in Mash 2009.’

Other titles included ‘Culture a tool for social cohesion’ by the Sophia Cultural Association, ‘Sunshine Guyana’ by Region Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), ‘I have a dream’ by Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice), ‘Empowering the Nation through literacy’ and ‘Literacy lifeline of Guyana’ by the National Library.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development had processions under ‘Let’s Celebrate’ and ‘Continuing social and economic development’, along with ‘Realizing your dream, building today for a better tomorrow’ by the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, not to be left out, had a vibrant display under the title ‘Securing the livelihood of Amerindian Communities’.

Dancing to several Caribbean melodies and having fun in the multi-coloured costumes the revellers streamed out of the National Park after being viewed by the judges and made their way

back into Vlissengen Road, dispersing in the vicinity of North Road.

It was a grand day for a parade. The sun was out in all its glory, the costumes and floats streamed their rainbow colours along the streets, and there were moments of comic inventiveness with men dressed as babies in pampers and with potties and nursing bottles.

Many faces glistened with gold dust, and this added an opulence to the already heady reds and blues and greens of the varied costumes.
It was a grand parade after all, and a good time was had by all.