THE Essequibo Department of Education Children’s Competition, for Mashramani, will kick off on Monday, January 21, at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

A release from the Department said the rivalry will involve nursery, primary and secondary schoolchildren, with the focus on dramatic poetry, calypso, masquerade bands and dance, costumes and physical displays.
It said the winners of the various contests will represent Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) at the National Finals in Georgetown.
The release said the Education Department will also stage a road show with students from Coffee Grove to the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground to set the stage for a grand float parade on Mash Day.
The regional administration has set up sub-committees to plan  the celebrations and the release said this year’s flag-raising ceremony will be held on the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on the night of February 22.
The flag-raising ceremony will be spiced up with a grand cultural show.
Meanwhile, some of the Mash activities will be a masquerade band competition; best Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC); Amerindian Mash Heritage; differently-abled rivalry and best decorated and illuminated buildings contest.
Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud, at the first planning meeting for the regional administration, said the Education Department always starts off the Mash celebrations in a very colourful and attractive manner that puts the region in a mood to celebrate the Republic anniversary.