The streets of Mackenzie came alive on Friday as scores of residents came out of every nook and cranny to get a glimpse of the children’s road march which saw the participation of almost every nursery and primary school in Linden. Students along with their teachers decked out in their carnival like costumes depicting the colourful and upbeat theme of Mashramani, ‘Celebrate with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity’. They revelled through the streets of Linden following the banners and flamboyant floats and the sound of the boom boxes blasting local soca music.

The parade commenced at the Five Corner of Dakama Circle and proceeded to Republic Avenue then to Green Heart Street, where it culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground where the judges awaited the floats and its contingent. Some of the participants were Children’s Garden Nursery with ‘Arrow Head Revellers’, Retrieve Nursery with ‘Angels in Unity’, South Amelia’s Ward Nursery under the theme ‘For a Greener Guyana,’ Republic Avenue Nursery with ‘Tropical Fusion’, Watooka Day Primary with ‘A Green Initiative’, One Mile Primary with ‘Rivoe Colistica’, and the Amelia’s Ward Primary with ‘Unity’.

The costumes and floats were indeed eye catching and displayed the hard work and commitment the teachers and students would have given to its design and construction. The children ‘palanced’ to the upbeat and provocative soca music which had even the spectators shaking their feet and waist. Though the weather seemed threatening during the early morning hours, it gave the procession a few hours of dryness before showering down in the afternoon hours. The children flounced through the route and while it seems as though they were doing it for the fun instead of the trophies, the judges still performed their duties in carefully adjudging each school.

Being awarded first place in the Nursery category was the Amelia’s Ward with its ‘For a Greener Guyana, Save our Trees,’ costume and float. Coming in second was Retrieve Nursery ‘Angels in White.’ The best banner went to Wisroc Nursery titled, ‘Working Together For Progress, Together We Strive For Excellence’. Taking home the winning Trophy for the primary participants was Watooka Day Primary followed by Regma Primary and Coomacka Primary in third. One Mile Primary copped the prize for Best Banner. Linden’s adult float parade will be held on the 5th March.