By Daniel Haynes
Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson
IN what was a display for all ages, the Children’s Road Mash parade did not disappoint and was heralded by judges as one of the best they have seen in a while. “Mashers,” spectators, parents and students all crowded the route and then the National Park to witness the colourful event.
All the bands were asked to assemble for a start time of 10: 00hrs at the Parade Ground on Middle and Carmichael Streets, and they did not disobey. Bands consisting of students from all age groups — from the nursery level all the way up to the Secondary School level — moved off on time.
With the music pumping, students mashin’ up the road in style with costumes (which by the way were far from the jerseys and pants that spectators were accustomed to) they took off. The route took them east up Middle Street, right into Camp and then traffic stood still whilst they continued into Lamaha to make their way to the National Park. Excited parents and teachers walked alongside the floats, calling for the students to display what they had all worked so hard on during the week in preparation for the day.

When the floats finally reached the park, they all took turns displaying their dance routines, main floats, physical displays and colours for the judges and fans. Two schools at the Primary level showed their mettle with front-runners Winfer Gardens and St. Margaret’s setting the tone for the rest of the primary as well secondary schools to follows. The scorching rays of the sun from the heavens above as well as the heat bouncing off of the National Park tarmac did not stop the exuberance of the children who participated from showing through. The already packed-to-capacity crowd came alive with every school which passed through the gates to take the proverbial floor and showed their appreciation for the efforts of each school.
At the secondary level, seeming crowd favourites the Bishops’ High School, with their Lady Guyana Float, designed by Vishal

Roopnarine pulled by Arantxa Thorne and then Oyinola Barrow, brought excitement to the floor with a splendid dance routine consistent with that of an adult band.
Also capturing attention was St. John’s College, which despite their small number, managed to put on a show as well. Similarly, one of the nation’s best secondary institutions, Queens’ College, also put on a display and then exited the grounds with a steelpan rendition of Adrian Dutchin’s “I am a Guyanese.”
In a day, it was one filled with colours, floats, designs, expectations and just pure Guyanese fun.
Students did not fail to wow and capture the hearts, stimulate the imagination and make life hard for judges who were tasked with giving results. As one of the judges said: “This year the costumes were fantastic, colour schemes lovely and more students were out and about participating.” It truly shows that Guyanese youth are keeping the theme “Celebrating Guyana through Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty.”