Beer giants, Digicel rule the road

Feb 24, 2012 News

– float parade returns to Berbice after two decades

It took three giants –two into brewing and the other into mobile communications – to infuse much-needed energy to transform the Mashramani parade into a gyrating sea of red, blue, gold and white yesterday.
Thousands braved the threat of rain to line the main parade route and watch the annual costume and float parade that marks the climax of celebrations for the country’s Republic anniversary.
Brewery giants Banks DIH and Ansa McAl under their Banks Beer and Carib Beer brands infused the usual bacchanal that was associated with Mashramani, providing much needed entertainment for those who stood hours upon hours waiting.  Of course, there were those who chose the smarter route of picnicking on the sides of the road.
Digicel brushed aside its signature red colour and chose to lead its parade with revelers dressed mostly in white. Joining the band were Bajan soca singer, Peter Ram and newly crowned Carib Soca Monarch, Jumo.
One would have thought that Jumo would have taken his “rubber waist” to the Carib parade, but his presence did not in any way dampen the energy in the Blue and Yellow brigade.
The man behind the parade, Minister of Culture, Dr. Frank Anthony, led his band down the Mash road, and from the look of things, he seemed happy with the way things turned out.
Opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) led a green band down the streets and they too were enthused about the support they received.
The band from the Ministry of Tourism was a major disappointment as were other bands known to dazzle the parade route including the Guyana Forestry Commission.
A fresh band on the parade this year was a contingent of commercial sex workers who never seemed to run out of energy.
The costume and float parade came after the raising of the national flag in all regions of Guyana. Ceremonies were attended by government ministers.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran was assigned to Region One, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud was sent to Region Two, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali was posted to Region Three, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was assigned to Region Four, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand was assigned to Region Five, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall went to Region Six, Minister Public Works Robeson Benn went to Region Seven, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Robert Persaud was assigned to Region Eight, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett was assigned to Region Nine and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker was sent to Region 10.
Meanwhile, after an absence of over two decades, without the traditional float parade being held on the February 23, Berbicians came out in their hundreds to jump and prance and have a good time for the traditional celebrations in the ancient county.
The parade began around 14:00 hrs at Tacama turn Alphonso Square and proceeded through the streets of New Amsterdam and ended at the New Amsterdam stelling (Matthew Allen) Road.
There were five floats with revelers including Tucber Park, Alphonso Group, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Fort Canje Hospital and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
When the results were announced, Tucber Park came out winners followed by the Alphonso Group with Fort Canje Hospital third and New Amsterdam Technical Institute fourth.
Most persons in attendance were happy that Mashramani had returned to New Amsterdam on the traditional day and were loud in praise for the New Amsterdam Mashramani Committee, especially Coordinator Errol Alphonso, a former Mayor of the town.