PREPARATI0NS for Moruca Expo 2013 to be held at Santa Rosa Village in Region 1 (Barima/Waini) this Friday and Saturday were yesterday in full swing.

Speaking from Santa Rosa Village yesterday, Co-ordinator of the event Mr. Graham Atkinson disclosed that villagers from six indigenous communities are participating in the event this year.
They are Kwebana, Santa Cruz, Warapoka, Assakata, Santa Rosa and Manawarin.
The expo is the ninth annual Moruca Expo, the first one being held in 2005.
Atkinson said that at the moment Santa Rosa, the venue of the event, is a hive of activity as several booths which will house exhibits of Amerindian foods and arts and crafts, are under construction.
Visitors will be able to sample Amerindian dishes and to purchase arts and craft items as souvenirs from the colourful event.
Arrangements were also ongoing for the Miss Moruca Pageant to be held on Saturday night when at least eight beauties will vie for the title.
The pageant will be followed by the usual after event party lasting into the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Atkinson disclosed that the programme will be declared open by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai at 2:00 pm on Saturday.
The formalities will be followed by sports and games, including  the upright bicycle race, road run competition, archery, slingshot, paddle and craft making, face painting, viewing the Piaiman Pot, strong man competition, strong woman competition, fish trap demonstrations,  and H’aichisiro (pepper sauce eating) competition.
The programme on Saturday begins at 09:00 am with more sports, including swimming and other aquatic sports and cultural activities.
The committee of the Moruca Expo 2013 is inviting tourists, locally and internationally, to join in celebrating the rich heritage of the indigenous people of the villages along the Moruca River.
Santa Rosa can be accessed by air. It can also be accessed by boat from Charity via Pomeroon River north into the Atlantic west along the coast and then back inland via the Moruca River.
Atkinson said that persons interested in transportation and accommodation for the Friday and Saturday event can contact him on telephone numbers 603-4655 or 672-2012.