Written by Telesha Ramnarine
ACTING President Samuel Hinds and Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali helped to usher in the Christmas season last evening at the ‘Christmas Tree Light-up’ at Rahaman’s Park, an event that has now become an annual tradition.
This time around marks the eighth such celebration at this East Bank Demerara location. Police had to cordon off a section of the public road to facilitate seats for those attending.

It was a packed event with mainly parents bringing out their young ones to witness the lighting up of the tree that stands some 70 feet high. An impressive display of colourful fireworks also captured the attention of those present.
The kids were also treated to a show of Dora, Sponge Bobb, and many of their other favourite cartoon characters, and also had the opportunity to witness Santa Claus and his entourage.
The audience, who helped in the 10-second countdown to switching on the lights, also enjoyed steel pan entertainment and a musical instrumental from Roy Alder. The National Dance Group also performed, along with a few church groups.
Mr. Hinds, in extending Christmas greetings to the gathering, referred to the occasion as an important event on Guyana’s calendar. He congratulated the Tourism Ministry and the private sector for their part played in realising the annual feature.
Noting that “Christmas is a time of caring, sharing and forgiving,” the prime minister proposed, that for those who have not done enough sharing and caring during the year, Christmas should be a good time to make up for it.
The prime minister said government is pleased to be associated with the private sector-led activity. He acknowledged the contribution of businesses that have bonded together with the

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to make the event a success.
Rent-a-Tent; Banks DIH; Prettipaul Singh Investment, Courts, Ansa Mc Al, DDL, among others, collaborated to make the event a success.
He expressed government’s appreciation to Mr. Ray Rahaman and family for making this event a national tradition, and observed that the crowd this time around was bigger than at any other time. “We need more of these events in our country,” he declared.
He brought greetings from President Donald Ramotar and his wife who missed the event because of overseas engagements.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister said he took great pleasure in participating in the event as they sought to ring in the Christmas season. Christmas, he offered, presents an opportunity for Guyanese to come together, to reach out to each other and to work together.
Ali said the Tourism Ministry will be creating a series of events for the holiday and will soon launch the ‘Christmas Village’ on Main Street. “You will be shocked at what we will produce,” he declared.
A ‘Romance the Ports’ dinner will be hosted out of town, and there will be a cruise along the Demerara River, he informed.