MASHRAMANI 2012 revelry on Irving Street, in Georgetown, was a hive of activity on Thursday. The parade of floats started wending its way along that route, before midday, to the National Park for the contingents to be judged.
The scene was one of hustle and bustle and the frolic got into high gear as thousands turned out to participate in celebrating Guyana’s 42nd anniversary as a republic.
Congested with vendors selling food and beverages under tents and other places, the thoroughfare was crowded as throngs stood on the parapets while some walked to view the gaily dressed celebrants moving at snail’s pace on vehicles, as they sipped different drinks and munched on tasty snacks.
The floats procession was a kaleidoscope of colours depicting various events pertaining to republicanism.
Children were also out with their parents, dressed colourfully and feasting from picnic baskets.
Spectators lined Vlissengen Road from Church Street through to Lamaha Street, as music blared from huge boom boxes blasting popular soca songs and calypsos, mostly compiled for the occasion.
Shortly after 15:00 hrs, a shower of rain dampened the otherwise sweltering heat  but that did not deter revellers, whose numbers swelled and they continued to gyrate to the sounds of recorded music.
Staffers of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), publishers of Chronicle newspapers, together with their families, were entertained at their usual Mash Day lime in the Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park compound, from where they, too, got a glimpse of the parade.
Except for a fallen utility pole, which crashed onto a motor car, badly damaging it in Eping Avenue, also in Bel Air Park, the day was incident free, with police reporting no major crime related to the celebrations.