THE children’s costume, dramatic poetry, calypso and physical display competitions kicks off Mashramani celebrations in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) tomorrow at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, on the Essequibo Coast. According to a release from the Department of Education, at Cotton Field, the Children’s Competition will involve all the secondary, primary and nursery schools in the Region, and would showcase activities with the focus on Mash celebrations under the theme ‘Cultural folklore: Celebrating 44.’

The contest opens at 10:00 hrs, with children from at the nursery and primary level doing dramatic poetry and calypso.
On Wednesday, the rivalry will continue with dance and masquerade and conclude on Friday with costume and physical displays.
The activities are expected to set the Region on ‘blazing fire’ ahead of the February 23 rivalry.
According to the release, the Mash activities Planning Committee in the Region met on Thursday and advanced discussions on planning for some of the aspects of the grand celebration.

ROAD RELAY
The release said a 500 metres road relay race will be held on January 23 and involve students of the secondary schools, Essequibo Technical Institute and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

The race will be open to male and female students and the winners are to be awarded prizes on Mash Day.
Other things planned for the occasion are steel pan music in the street on February 14, differently-abled and elderly fun day at Queenstown, best decorated and illuminated buildings competition, children’s road march, cultural show and flag-raising ceremony on the night of February 22.
On Mash Day there will be masquerade display, float parade and other competition on the public road from Three Friends Village to the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, where a big Mash jump up celebration will be staged.
An award ceremony will also take place on Mash Day.
Reports said many businesses and companies on the Essequibo Coast have already indicated their interest to participate in the Mash Programme and, this year, the Planning Committee has decided to award cash prizes to winners in the float parade,
The first place winner in the large float will receive $100,000; second place $50,000 and third place $25,000. Among the medium size floats, the first place winner will receive $75,000, second place $30,000 and third place $20,000 while, in the small category, the the first place winner will get $50,000, second $30,000 and third $15,000. (Rajendra Prabhulall)