THE word ‘proud’ could barely do to describe the feeling that prevailed throughout the Durban Park Stadium and the route of the Independence Day Float Parade.
The colours of our national flag could be seen, richly decorating every band and every outfit. This year, with the Mashramani float parade shifted specially to accommodate the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, many were curious to see how it would all turn out.
And with a new route and a new destination, thousands of Guyanese flocked along the sides of Brickdam straight into Durban Park where an additional 30,000 persons waited anxiously to see the floats arrive.
Thanks to the accommodation of the Durban Park, it was by far the biggest crowd the float parade has ever attracted. Added to the prolific theme of independence that was showcased on every float, as well as the rich overflow of local music blazing from all the bands, it was certainly a day of celebrating ‘Guyaneseness’.
And while change is sometimes hard to accept, many persons felt that this change in venue and route was a good idea, and are hoping that the Mashramani parade for the coming years will take this pattern as well.
“I prefer it this way; it’s way better, because it accommodates more people. Everybody should get to see the float parade,” Lita Henry said.
Lita’s hair was neatly stitched with extensions bearing the colours of the flag; a bold but unambiguous statement. “I am a true Guyanese, and I wanted to wear the flag colours. And this is how I think I can show how proud I am; by having it in my hair,” she said.
“This event is great! I went to GuyExpo, and now I am coming here, and everything nice. Guyana nice! I love it!” said Elisabeth Rodney. She said she was glad to have been able to attend at least some of the events, and was happy to see so many overseas-based Guyanese here to celebrate the Independence of their home country.
Ingrid Perriera admitted that it was the majesty of the flag-raising ceremony that brought her out on Independence day. “I like this new location,” she said. “We should keep things here all the time. It is so exciting for me, that I lived to see this day; I was seven in 1966, and couldn’t really remember everything. But witnessing it now is great.”
Sitting next to Ingrid was her close friend, Keitch Mitchell, who said that this was the second time she came out to Durban Park for the day alone. “I’m really excited, and really proud. I just couldn’t stay away,” she said.
“My knees are bad, but I had to come out and see something today, after seeing last night. I enjoyed the President’s speech last night and I enjoying all I’m seeing here today,” Jean Primo said.
Though she felt it was time she should go home, she wanted to ensure she was able to see as much as she could of the float parade. She admitted to not usually coming out for Mashramani, but that there was something about this event that made her feel like she had to be here.
Loaknauth Eric, too, said that it was the flag-raising ceremony that brought him out for the Float Parade. “I see how many people come out, and I feel happy about it. So I made sure I come out today to see what is happening, because is only one time this happens. I prefer this location for the parade, because is more people,” he said.
Roydon Ramroop usually watches the parade on TV, but came out to see for himself what this event was all about. “Here has a better capacity than the National Park… And the other route used to be very congested. The road was a small road, but Brickdam is wider. And now Durban Park can hold more people, so people could get to spread out, and traffic is able to be diverted without that major traffic jam you usually see every year,” he said.