PLANS for the Mashramani celebrations are expected to include its usual packed cultural programme of activities, culminating with the return of the Annual Costume and Float Parade.
The procession is expected to proceed down the length of Brickdam and end at Durban Park, in keeping with last year’s Jubilee float procession.
The usual chutney, soca, calypso, masquerade and steel band activities and competitions will take centrestage in the next few weeks as the Mashramani festivities unfold. There is expected to be quite a number of activities catering to all ages and ethnicities.

There will be the Junior Calypso Competition, Children’s Art Competition, and Children’s Costume and Float Parade to cater to the younger generation, while the “Concert for the Elderly” takes care for our older folks.
In a new addition, there will be the Miss Mash Pageant, which will see a number of beauties having the opportunity of vying for the coveted crown. There’s also a “Literary Street Fair” and “Essay Competition” to add an educational flair to things.
The traditional Flag-Raising Ceremony will also be held to commemorate the Republic Day.
Meanwhile, the Costume and Float Parade will return to its February 23 slot, after it was moved last year to be a part of the May 26 Jubilee Independence Day celebrations.
However, while the parade returns to its customary date, it is not expected to return to its usual Church Street/Vlissingen Road route.

In other adjustments last year, the parade took place on Brickdam, beginning at the Stabroek Market, and ended at the newly commissioned Durban Park facility, after a previous proposal to have the parade take place on the East Coast of Demerara Highway.
While some had endorsed the change to Brickdam, several persons, however, had misgivings about this new route. Some contended that it was too short, providing less space for vendors, who usually look forward to the business that the float parade provides.
There were also traffic concerns. In response to criticism, Junior Minister responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicollette Henry said that the parade was moved to capitalise on the Staborek Square as the assembly point because it provided a more spacious area.