THE ‘Main Big Lime’, one of Guyana’s biggest annual events aimed at promoting tourism and the unique Guyanese culture, attracted thousands of persons yesterday on the Main Street Avenue, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was seen mingling freely with patrons.

The event, which gives Guyanese an opportunity to mingle and have a reunion of sorts with long-lost relatives and friends, kicked off early in the day, but saw attendance peak just after sundown.

It was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in conjunction with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) as its executing arm, with the day’s activities beginning in earnest at around 10:00h and scheduled to run until 23:00h.

On display as per usual were many locally-produced items such as art and craft, accessories for both men and women, and a variety of toiletries, with vendors capitalizing on every opportunity to market their products.

There was no shortage of music either, as the various ‘sets’ were very much in evidence at almost every corner imaginable, from Church Street to the south, all the way down to Lamaha Street in the north.

Children were treated to the traditional ‘merry-go-around’ rides and trampoline fun, and there was food and drinks on sale in large quantities.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad said the event saw no gambling this year and that there was no shortage of sponsors.

He observed too that there was an abundance of security measures in place this year, and that private security personnel were roped in to help those from the Guyana Police Force and the City Constabulary Department of the Mayor and City Council with maintaining law and order.

As compared with the previous years, Prashad noted that the booths were properly organised on one side of the road, thus making available adequate space for walking.

He said he was “very happy” at the way the event was organised this year, noting that the booth arrangements in place this year did a lot to help ease congestion.

Minister Prashad said the ‘Main Big Lime’ augurs well for tourism, as many overseas-based Guyanese and other visitors return to the country at this time of year to participate in the event.

“It’s like a party, and not only a Guyanese attraction now, but a Caribbean attraction. It provides for a lovely mix,” he said.

Director of the GTA, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh told reporters that the event saw a lot of families in attendance earlier in the day, and that he was grateful that the weather held out. He too made reference to the fact that security was real tight this year and that the booths were better arranged.

“The event affords people to meet people they don’t often see. There is really no other lime like this,” he remarked, adding that those who paid for such booths in no way received unfair competition, as itinerant vendors were not permitted to conduct business at this location.

Among the main sponsors on board this year were Ansa McAl, Hits and Jams, Bank DIH and Demerara Distillers Limited.

In an interview recently with the Chronicle, Minister Prashad said more than 25,000 to 30,000 persons were expected to pass through the ‘Main Big Lime’ for the calendar event, and that his ministry has always tried to improve on the arrangements for the event and that it has worked with the private sector to illuminate the area.

The first Main Big Lime, the brainchild of former Tourism Minister, the late Mr. Michael Shree Chand, was held in November 1999, with specific emphasis on promoting Guyanese tradition and culture.