REGION 1 residents turned out in their hundreds at the Mabaruma Recreational Park where they joined in the celebration of Guyana’s 42nd Republic Anniversary last Thursday.
Several floats lined the main Mabaruma road where they were displayed and judged in three categories.
Among the main competitors were the Regional Administration, Mabaruma Regional Hospital, and the Regional Education Department. The revellers flaunted their brightly coloured costumes, which were made locally, along the Mabaruma main road.
The parade drew much attention from residents and foreigners, some of whom experienced the celebration for the first time.
The Department of Education in the region also held its annual children’s costume competition, where the top performing schools were chosen to represent Region 1 at the national level in Georgetown.
The schools also held their annual schools’ Mash float parade, along the main road of the Mabaruma sub-Region where both teachers and students displayed their floats and costumes.
One foreigner said that he did not know what to expect, but had heard stories from locals of how vibrant the activity usually is, and it was an experience that he will never forget.
Sport activities also formed part of the Mashramani celebrations in the region, and football, cricket, road and cycle races were conducted at the Hosororo play field.
The events were organised by Culture, Youth and Sports Officer, Elton Brown, and were sponsored by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and other private businesses.