IN celebration of the town’s 52nd anniversary, the Linden Town Week event is set to return this April with a series of fun-filled and vibrant activities, according to Chairman of the Region 10 Tourism Committee, Devin Sears.

Sears told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview on Sunday, that this year’s event will cater for all Guyanese.

“Well what people can expect this year is a variety of activities that cater for everybody; the party goers, the children are catered for as well with the kids’ villages. We have international artistes that are coming into Guyana for the very first time; we have various tour events such as the fly- over tour; we have boat tours; we are even going to be providing trips to Kaieteur Falls from Linden,” he added.

He noted that the event will also see a number of competitions being held and exciting prizes being won.

“The teen pageant is being re-introduced, the big and bold pageant that is for plus-size women. We are going to have karaoke competitions, we have activities that will provide entertainment for everybody, not just Lindeners, but for the folks from the diaspora that are going to be back home.”

A special competition will be held for secondary schoolchildren in the mining town, which he said will see the region scouting for talented creatives in the musical field.

The winner of that competition will get a monetary prize for a school project, along with several other prizes such as a brand-new laptop and an all-expenses paid trip to the Kaieteur Falls.

“Whichever school wins, will have 500,000 towards a school project…a laptop and a trip to Kaieteur Falls. Also, a record deal to record five songs and some other prizes. Those who reach the final stage will receive tablets,” he said.

Additionally, Sears said that the elderly and the differently abled will not be forgotten, as the region will be spearheading a hamper-distribution exercise for them.

“We are also going to be giving out senior citizen hampers. In the past, we would normally have lunch for them, but we will be delivering these hampers to their homes. Also, the differently abled students that we have up here, we will be giving them hampers as well,” he said.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS
Sears noted that the event has already seen many of the hotels and inns in the town being booked out as many persons are excited to participate in the celebrations.

“We don’t have enough accommodation for large influx of persons, so if persons are planning to come to Linden you have to book your accommodations now, you have to reserve it. So far most of the rooms are already gone.”

He said that the committee is currently discussing strategies for accommodation services in anticipation of the event.

“What we are exploring to see if we can do [it] is bed and breakfast. If you have an extra room, clean it up and we can provide accommodation for persons coming in,” Sears said, adding: “We are also exploring the possibility of setting up a tent village, so you can rent a tent for a night or two and you can have washroom facilities and the basic amenities provided to you. So, we are exploring that option right now,” he noted.

ECONOMIC BOOST
Meanwhile, Sears stated that he in particular is excited for the economic stimulation that will accompany the event.

He told this publication that this year’s event will not only see a grand celebration, but also an economic boost as many of the local businesses and entrepreneurs are also in preparation mode.

“[What] We are happy and excited about is the economic stimulation Linden Town Week will bring, because a lot of folks are looking forward to it,” Sears said.

“When you come to Linden, it’s not just accommodation, people will need meals, clothes; they will need everything. We are seeing supermarkets stocking up already, we see the clothes vendor gearing up for the coloured-themed events [and] we are really happy about that part there,” he added.

The event will be held from April 23rd to May 5th. All COVID-19 protocols will be in place and persons must be vaccinated to access the various activities.