THOUSANDS of Guyanese and visitors from overseas converged at Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice, on Easter Monday for the traditional celebration.
They were joined by President Bharrat Jagdeo, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Mr. Donald Ramotar and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad. The Head of State took the opportunity to interact with the throng, extending holiday greetings to all and, Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Prashad did likewise.
There was the annual kite flying competition, jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Prashad noted that the response was, indeed, greater than previous years.
He remarked: “Apart from this competition, there are others going on in Georgetown, Hope Beach and in Unity for the first time but the number of people I am seeing here is huge. The entire beach is covered and we are having great weather.”
Prashad attributed the influx of participants and visitors to the opening of the Berbice Bridge and from persons crossing at Moleson Creek.
He specially praised President Jagdeo for the opening of the Berbice River Bridge but noted that there are improvements to be made, so that the event will be better next year and even more persons would experience Easter in Guyana, which is celebrated like nowhere else in the world.
Prashad said the better facilities needed include for parking to alleviate congestion on the beach and the placing of signs to guide visitors.
He said though, that in terms of crowd control, it was quite well this year.
Prashad reminded of the religious aspect of Easter and urged holiday makers to dwell on the deeper meaning of the occasion.
He expressed the hope that even more persons will venture out next year to view the kite flying.
“There is nothing like this in South America. Guyana is the number one kite flying destination in the Caribbean and people should come and experience this in all of its glory on Easter Monday,” Prashad boasted.

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
After the competition, which featured 11 competitors in three categories, a prize-giving ceremony was held to honour the winners and recognise their creations.
Those who won were David Jamaan (largest); Navin Totaram (most unusual) and Vish Singh (best tourism depiction).
The first place winners in each category were awarded a free trip to Kaieteur Falls and those who placed second, individually, received a cellular phone, compliments of Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T).
GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh commented that the event, this year, was well attended and featured more creative and colourful entries.
He said the smallest kite category was omitted this year but it is great that people still take the time to build kites and travel to the beach to enjoy the day.
Haralsingh lauded the efforts of the team whose hard work made the occasion successful and thanked the patrons and participants for coming out and making the event a successful one.
Meanwhile, the patrons interviewed by the Guyana Chronicle were appreciative of the sponsorship by the Ministry of Tourism and GTA.
“This is a great thing. We can get away from town, come out here and fly our kites with our families and have a good time,” said Melanie Ramroop, who travelled from Georgetown.
Jason Cummings observed that more activities and more people have become involved over time.
“All I can say is that this is amazing. People are coming together as one and having great fun, thanks to the Tourism Ministry and GTA for promoting and endorsing this,” he said.