INVOLVEMENT of businesses and corporations has always had a big impact on the success of the Mash Day Float Parade and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is optimistic that this involvement will continue to a maximum this year.

We need people to be on the Float
Parade and the more companies that can do so the better the parade will be – Culture Minister

Minister Frank Anthony has disclosed that the ministry
is urging the full involvement of the business community in this regard in order to enhance the colour and excitement of the Parade.
Mashramani celebrations 2014 are being held under the theme “Cultural Folklore; Celebrating 44”.

ON SCHEDULE
Minister Anthony last week disclosed that all other arrangements for the celebrations this year are on schedule.
The Junior Calypso competition is ongoing, while
auditions for the adult calypso competition , partially sponsored by Banks DIH, will be starting shortly.
The calypsonians have been contacted and they are preparing their music and the chutney rehearsals have begun.
A date for the chutney competition will be announced in a few days.
The masquerade bands will soon be out on the streets, although a competition between the bands may not be possible.

STEELBANDS
The steelbands competition is being sponsored by Republic Bank and will see many more competitors this year due to an increase in the number of school bands over the past year.
The competition will be held in two parts – one for
School bands and the other for adults and both will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Dr. Anthony said that test pieces have been released and the bands are now rehearsing for the competition.
He reiterated that the ministry has been encouraging a number of companies to participate in the Mash Day Float Parade.
He stressed that, “This is important because spectators may come out in largest numbers but if the participation in the Float Parade is poor there wouldn’t be much to look at. So we need people to be on the parade and the more companies that can do so the better the parade will be.”

(By Clifford Stanley)