Social Cohesion Minister with Responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton announced the new route for the much anticipated Mashramani Costume and Float Parade 2017.
Speaking at a press conference, the minister said, it has been decided that all participating bands will assemble on Thomas Lands west of Albert Street.
According to the minister the first judging point will be by the National Park as the the parade will proceed east along Thomas Lands, then south into Vlissingen Road and into Durban Park using the Vlissingen and Hadfield Streets’ entrance.
He pointed out that his Ministry has answered to call of patrons to see Vlissingen Road included in the route, but the parade will not return to Church Street.
“There is no way that we are ever going to get back to using Church Street, and we have to accept that. But we are confident that this new route that we’re going to adapt will meet everyone’s expectations,” Minister Norton told media operatives, adding that vending will be allowed along the parade route. “Prospective vendors will be provided shortly with all the information necessary, through the news media, with regard to dates for registration, vending fee, and other pertinent information,” Dr Norton assured.
New components
The minister also announced that Andrew Tyndall is the official Coordinator of the Ministry’s Mash Committee.
Speaking to the media Tyndall said that the country’s 48th Republic Anniversary celebrations will boast a number of new components such as the Junior Soca Monarch. “We recognise that there are a number of young persons, who are talented, and I think because of the age where they are allowed to enter the Senior Soca Monarch, sometimes they lose that enthusiasm. We want to provide an opportunity for our young talented singers to hit the stage and showcase their talent,” Tyndall said.
Social Cohension Minister, Dr George Norton along with Coordinator of the Mash Committee, Andrew Tyndall and Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain
“We feel like if we provide that opportunity from a younger age, they would be really able to craft their talent and develop by the time they get to the Senior Soca Monarch Competition,” Tyndall is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying. Teens from 14 years old would be eligible to vie for the Junior Soca Monarch.
“The Adult Calypso Competition’s semi-finals will be held in Region Seven. The semi-finals for the Soca Monarch Competition will be held in region Ten. The Chutney Competition finals will be held in Region Three. We will have steel band concerts in Regions Eight and Nine, so persons living in all parts of Guyana will have an opportunity to experience Mash,” Tyndall explained.
There will also be a grand Main Street Lime every Friday starting from January 26, leading up to Republic Day, February 23. “There will be a party atmosphere kind of lime, where we will have various competitors from the song competitions performing…various designers displaying their costumes. We are really trying to build the hype and vibes heading into Mash.
There will also be a Family Fun Day for persons, who want to celebrate Mash activities with their little ones.
Apart from those activities, the Mashramani season, as is customary, would include a number of academic components, including a Republic Lecture Series.
Organisers are also anticipating a full turn out with approximately 50 floats.
