At kick-off ceremony…
THE highly-anticipated annual Rupununi Rodeo, during Easter weekend, was yesterday heralded as the biggest ever at a ceremony in the boardroom of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce on South Road, Georgetown.
The three-day event, which is part of the Ministry’s Easter calendar, kicks off on April 2 and is being organised by the Rupununi Rodeo Committee, in association with the Ministry and corporate sponsors.
Staged every Easter, it usually features vaqueros (cowboys) from ranches throughout the Rupununi and neighbouring Brazil showcasing their skills.
Minister with the Tourism portfolio, Mr. Manniram Prashad said this is the 70th year of the Lethem Rodeo and maintained it is a big show for several reasons.
“This is not just because every year you try to get bigger; this is because of a particular reason, this is the first time that the rodeo will be held with the Takutu River Bridge opened,” he noted.
Prashad said about 10,000 people are expected to converge at the ‘Triple R’ ground in Lethem and the organising committee and Rupununi Chamber of Commerce have, very importantly, done some infrastructural work at the venue to accommodate more people.
The Minister said this means that the Rodeo Committee is also investing back into the facilities.
He boasted that Rupununi Rodeo is one of the last of the original type in the world.
“So, it is very exciting and, for the spectators, it is thrilling but even very dangerous, sometimes, because these vaqueros have special skills to rope the animals and do it the way it was done 70 years ago in Lethem,” Prashad remarked.
Reiterating that it is, indeed, a very special event, he said, for the first time, the Rupununi Rodeo Pageant will be staged on Friday April 2, with rodeo on Saturday and Sunday.
Prashad said the programme will attract a large number of international visitors apart from neighbouring Brazil, pointing out that his ministry and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have had enquiries about it and transportation arrangements.
He announced that all flights to Lethem are fully booked but there are a lot of charters.
Prashad said the rodeo, being on the Ministry’s Easter Calendar, information about it has been circulated to all the embassies overseas and posted on GTA’s website.
He said the Easter Calendar covers a range of activities all over the country and Guyanese from all walks of life will be going to different places to participate and enjoy them.
According to him, currently, there are at least 100 hotel rooms in Lethem.
Chairman of the Rodeo Committee and President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. John Macedo said one of the concerns may be accommodation and encouraged persons to carry tents to camp out.
He said there are areas to facilitate camping, with washrooms, toilet and lighting facilities and some security, making them perfectly safe.
Macedo said the road to Lethem is at its best and no difficulty is foreseen along the trail but cautioned travelers to be careful, especially, those driving on that terrain for the first time.

EXPECTATION
He said, two weeks ago, he met with officials from Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC), which operates the Kurupukari Crossing, advised them of the expectation of increased traffic and asked that they try to put systems in place to prevent any build-up.
“They have promised to look at it and work to have things done in a smooth manner,” Macedo told the media.
He also assured that the Rodeo Committee has requested the Guyana Police Force (GPF) presence from Kurupukari right through to Lethem, to monitor movement along the road and prevent any accident.
Macedo said, when planning rodeo, the Committee invites all the stakeholders to be part and parcel of the exercise and he thanked Minister Prashad for his contribution in aid of its success, as well as the sponsors for their involvement.
Treasurer of the Committee, Ms. Megan Thomas said, for the Friday night pageant, the contestants will be fully dressed in western or cowgirl style.
She said this is the first time the contest will be held on that ground and gave the assurance that those who attend will have a good time.
Brand Manager of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), one of the main sponsors, Ms. Maria Munroe said the company has been involved in the event for the past six years and, once again, is pleased to be partnering with the Rupununi Rodeo Committee in hosting this year’s.
“2010 promises to be bigger and better than previous years as DDL has increased its sponsorship significantly. The committee will be mounting new infrastructure to accommodate more persons and enhance the arena,” she acknowledged, wishing the committee a successful rodeo while inviting the general public to experience and explore Lethem.
Public Relations Officer of Digicel, Ms. Shonette Moore said the utility is very delighted to be a part of the action and, this second year, has decided to go for a long term sponsorship with the Rodeo Committee.
“It is going to be a fantastic experience,” she said, exhorting people to have safe fun.