– ‘Hi-Kayak-Ton’ competition, ‘BOSS FEST’ among activities

DESPITE the COVID-19 pandemic, the Region 10 Tourism Committee has managed to put together a long list of fun, business and educational events for Tourism Awareness Month, which it will launch on Monday.

The virtual launch is slated for 10:00 hours and will be streamed live on the National Communications Network (NCN), Channel 13, 104.3 Power FM, 104.1 LITE FM. It can also be viewed on the region’s Tourism Committee’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel.
Chairman of the Committee, Devin Sears, in an interview with this publication, said the challenges brought about by COVID-19 has provided Guyanese with the opportunity to be creative, and it was with this in mind that a list of activities was created.

He said one of the first events, on the committee’s agenda is a video competition, which will see Lindeners posting short videos of their favourite tourism destinations in the mining town.
This, he said, will allow more person to see the beauty and diversity of the region which is often referred to as “Guyana’s gem”.

Sears disclosed that several major events are set to draw tourists into the mining town, including the “Hi-Kayak-Ton,” which will be held on November 28, and will see the winner walking away with a grand prize of $100,000. He explained that this event will feature, hiking, rock climbing and kayaking which are some of the major tourism activities in the region.
“The Hi-Kayak-Ton will be one of the biggest events we will have for tourism month. It will see persons taking part in a competition where they will be hiking, kayaking and rock climbing. The event will be commencing from Nottinghamshire, Richmond Hills, Kara Kara Blue Lake, and Creek, up the Demerara River and conclude at the Watooka Guest House,” said Sears.
In addition to this event, the committee has planned to collaborate with several tourism operators, such as, Adventure Tours, Elite Tours and Watooka Guest House to ensure persons within the township benefit from the initiative.

The restoration of several of the town’s historical sites is also on the list and is slated to be done from November 1 to 16.
Additionally, tours to the historical sites will be facilitated and will allow persons the opportunity to have an insight into the rich history of Linden.
“We believe you have to preserve your history. If you don’t know where you came from, you definitely will not know where you’re going,” Sears stated.
The restoration and tours will feature the Hamilton Sawmill, on Burnham Drive; the Water Wheel and the Linden Heritage Museum, where he said, visitors would be able to see bauxite, bauxite ores, the walking dragline, and several other pieces of the town’s history.

Further, Sears said river tours, will also be a big feature for this year’s tourism month. He reminded that Guyana’s three major rivers – the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice – run through Linden and the committee plans to use this to its advantage.

From November 18 to 20, the committee has planned a fishing expedition for persons to fish along the banks of the three rivers. On the 18th persons will be fishing along the Demerara River, while on the 19th persons will travel to Rockstone to fish along the Essequibo River. The following day, participants will be fishing along the Berbice River in the Kwakwani area.
Sears told the Guyana Chronicle that the beautification of the coastlines of these rivers are also slated to be done through the planting of trees and flower plants, so as to further promote the rivers’ beauty.

He informed that on November 27, the region’s tourism day will be held. This event is slated to give residents an opportunity to display their crafts, products and services.
He reiterated that the tourism activities are created to not just promote the history of the town, but also to allow the residents to benefit financially.

Bringing the curtain down on the month of activities, will be the virtual concert, ‘BOSS FEST’. The “Because Others See Success” event will feature performances from town’s biggest entertainers. Brandon Harding, Diana Chapman, Davy Marley and several other overseas artistes will be taking the stage.
The tickets for the concert will be on sale from November 2 at a cost of $2000.

Sears said the “mega-event” will feature not just musical performances but also, dance, poetry, and other forms of performing art.
He assured that all the planned activities will be conducted in full compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines.