– GPL shines the brightest
THE NATIONAL Park virtually came alive Friday night and was transformed into a delectably  enticing arena of colour, glitter and charm, when thirty well-rehearsed costume bands  descended in a state of  euphoria on the tarmac , doing their thing and demonstrating  that they’re  ‘ready fuh de road’ come Tuesday  when Guyana’s biggest  and most popular Mashramani  activity, the Costume Band and Float Parade, takes to the streets of Georgetown.
Wonderfully displayed, and carried with dexterity,  the costumes, keenly vying for the Queen and King of the Road titles,  were a reflection of vision, versatility and the skillful crafting of materials  to come up with novel creations, depicting  facets of  Guyana’s rich biodiversity — its flora and fauna, treasured  wildlife, and its  products and  services, among other things.
The entries were all classy, and judges undoubtedly had a difficult time coming up with decisions.      But creating a sensation and mystifying and sending the spectators cheering wildly and clamouring for more was newcomer on the scene, the Guyana Power and Light, under the theme ‘GPL – Powering the Future’.  Designed by Facts ‘N’ Roses – Trevor Rose and Michelle Cole, the costume, clearly a crowd favourite, exerted a rather magnetic pull on the media corps which literally went running after  it to get the best photo shots.
Carried with rhythm, splendor and exuberance  by a bevy of shapely GPL beauties demonstrating unmatched skills in dancing around the stage in spike heels, the costumes sent a message of powering the nation, with an eye on doing this in an environmentally-friendly manner.  A beautiful blend of regal blue and silver, it richly portrayed a huge flower, at the centre of which is an environmentally-friendly and energy-saving utility bulb.
Other crowd favourites were Digicel’s ‘Pollination’, a huge red hibiscus representing Guyana’s flora and fauna, and carried by Olympia Small and a large contingent; designs by Banks DIH, Ansa Mc Al’s Carib Beer; the  Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; The National Library; Region Three; The Ministries  of Tourism; Local Government, Agriculture , Housing and a host of others – in keen competition.
Meanwhile, adding diverse flavour to the night’s programme and regaling the audience were the performances in song and dance by a group of Indonesian guest entertainers  – an ensemble of about 15 to 20 persons who travelled here  from  neighbouring Paramaribo.   Their choice pieces included the famous ‘Radicka’;  ‘ You are My Sunshine’;  ‘ Come Back Lisa’ and others .
But, Friday night’s show of course, was just but a sneak preview into  an ecstatic  day of fun, frolic and the best in entertainment.  Come Tuesday  – a day of fun, frolic and  revelry,  as is traditional, Guyanese –  old and young, without regard for class, colour or creed, will, in true Mashramani  and picnic style , will get out into the streets, put away their cares,  come together  and ‘jam one another’.   Quite a stress reliever, ain’t it!