THE highly anticipated second Bridge Light-up and Boat Parade drew over 5,000 people together on Sunday evening in the mining town of Linden.

The annual event was hosted by the Linden Youth Leaders group and Linden’s Former Mayor Carwyn Holland, with the aim of promoting cohesiveness within the society and igniting the spirit of Christmas throughout the town.

Giving brief remarks was the Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell who congratulated Holland and the Linden Youth Leaders for such an initiative.

Arrindell highlighted the significance of the Linden Mackenzie/Wismar bridge, noting: “This bridge is significant to all of us in Linden, it’s the bridge where we know our heroes stood and our heroes fell in 2012 to make sure that we can maintain the integrity of this town.”
She added, “I want tonight as you get the chance to light the bridge, that you’ll remember the strength and the resilience of the people of Linden and that as you light that bridge, a fire will be lit in your heart, a fire of love, a fire of peace and a fire of joy and as we enter this Christmas season I want that same fire to continue.”

Also present at the event was Minister of Public Affairs Dawn Hastings-Williams, who represented the President of Guyana David Granger, who could not have been at the event.
Hastings stated, “Linden is a place that is very close to the President’s heart and you know he would have loved to be here with you celebrating your bridge light-up and Boat Parade. Unfortunately, he could not have been here, but I bring you his season’s greetings.”
According to Hastings, the government has included in Budget 2019, funds for the construction of a monument to commemorate the history of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge. The monument will be built in memory of the lives that were taken at the bridge in Linden’s 2012 shutdown.

The crowd was treated to a short programme which included songs, dances and musical renditions after which attendees made their way on to the bridge to get a close look of it being lit.

In addition, an after-concert was held which showcased the talents of local artistes such as Senior Calypso Champion Brandon Harding, Junior Calypso Champion Jason Copeland, and “Lil Colwyn,” amongst others.

Over 1,000 children received presents, while 100 elderly persons were given hampers. The children hailed from all nursery schools and Grade One classes within Linden.