THE annual Rock Stone Fish Festival, slated for October 25 and 26, was launched yesterday by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

For this year’s festival there have been improvements to the road and camping grounds.
The community of Rockstone, some 18 miles from Linden, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), is famous for hosting the Guyana’s largest fish festival, an attraction for both tourists and locals alike. The two-hour trip will allow persons to experience camping, fishing, bird-watching, or the delights of the Essequibo River.
Speaking at the launch held at the Tourism Ministry’s Boardroom South Road, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh, emphasised the fact that the Ministry remains supportive of the activity, now heralded as one of the biggest fish festivals in the Caribbean.
The Director related that through this festival the ministry is able to promote domestic tourism which will in turn open up new areas in Guyana for our locals as well as for tourists. He noted also that the Rockstone Fish Festival is part of the Tourism Ministry’s calendar of events, and is very integral to the development of tourism in Rockstone.
Haralsingh highlighted that Rockstone and the environment offer quite a lot of attractions such as the wildlife and the nearby Golden Beach, and Gluck Island. The latter has a rich population of birds, at least 140 species and a natural habitat for the giant otter, river turtles and the largest freshwater fish in the world, the Arapaima. He also encouraged persons to attend the festival and get the opportunity to ‘try out’ some of Guyana’s exotic fishes such as the ‘Lukanani’ Peacock Bass, Bicuda, Hymara / Wolf Fish and Piranha.
At the launch, the planning committee outlined the preparations underway to transform the community of close to 375 persons into a hive of activities. Rockstone Tourism Association (RTA) President Ms. Lynette Benn reported that all arrangements are in place to ensure that the festival remains fun, entertaining and safe. She noted that venue was upgraded with extensions done to the camping grounds and works were also recently done on the road to accommodate the influx of vehicles that will be traversing over the weekend of the festival.
Ms. Benn explained that over the years they have tried to make transportation available for persons but because of the small numbers that approached the committee they have decided not to go this route this year around. However, she said that persons desirous of transportation, once there is a group of twenty persons they can contact the committee and arrangements can be put in place.
The RTA is appealing to parents to make sure their children are safe at all times even though there are measures in place for the safety and security of all. The committee also explained that there will be additional bins, out toilets and security personnel available at this year’s festival.
Explaining that the proceeds from the 2013 festival went towards the rehabilitation of the present guest house she said they are envisioning that the proceeds from this year will allow them to construct three more log cabins which is the prime project for 2015. She also related that “because it is community based any works that is being done at the site or concerning the festival we employ persons from right in the community.”
Activities include fishing, catching and deboning and cooking competitions, as well as individual paddle boat and cycle races, among others. There will also be cultural activities in the form of dance and song which will be performed by local artistes. Adult tickets cost $500, children $300 and admission fees for vehicles range from $1,000 for cars to $5,000 for trucks. Persons who are desirous of more information can contact the RTA on 692-7133.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)