THE mining town of Linden on Sunday came alive, with hundreds of spectators and revellers feting through the streets of Linden, gyrating provocatively to the soca music blasting through the several boom boxes.

It was indeed an explosion of iridescent colours, soca music and fete as the revellers dressed in their colourful and creative costumes, portraying the true spirit of Mashramani.

The parade was held under this year’s theme “Celebration with dignity, liberty and greater unity.”

Residents of Linden, who were joined by curious onlookers, who journeyed from other regions, crowded street corners and pavements along the parade route to get a look at what was in store for the day.

Making a special appearance was Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and junior Education Minister, Nicolette Henry.

Though the day’s activities were threatened by some early showers, this did not stop the revellers of Linden, who were prompt and all decked out in their costumes, waiting for the go ahead to commence the parade.

The revellers wended their way through Republic Avenue, then proceeded onto Independence Avenue, then down Washer Pond road, where they ‘palanced’ their way over to the Wismar shore on the Winifred Gaskin Highway and culminated at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground on the Wisroc junction, where the after-party started.

There were several of bands, including the Ministry of Education band, the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, Region 10 Department of Education, and some Community Development Councils in Region 10.

The parade also included the World Access Party Truck and other party trucks, which were crowded with ‘party lovers’ and popular deejays and local soca singers such as “Jomo”, who with their bacchanal, demonstrated Lindeners true love for party and fete.

“I really enjoying the Mash man, I feel this is one of the biggest we had, it is a real come back from last year, Linden hype right now,” one spectator said while imbibing and dancing along the route.

“Mash come home to Linden cus is here it start, Lindeners need to remember is here it start and come out and support and they did just so, we fetting till morning,” Sherene James cheerfully commented on the Mashramani parade.

The Mashramani Parade and all other Mashramani activities for 2017 were coordinated by the Regional Commemorative Committee.

Mashramani has its genesis in the mining town of Linden, which saw the first float parade being held there in 1966 as a celebration of Guyana’s Independence.

It was organised by the Jaycees Social Group. The carnival celebration was later patterned after by other towns before becoming a national event and adopting the name Mashramani.

It has been customary for Linden to hosts its Mashramani float parade the Sunday after Republic Day. This had been done consecutively since 2006.