Return of children’s costume & float parade sparks excitement

Hundreds of revellers from all walks of life decked out in their multi-coloured, shimmering costumes gyrated to the sound of Soca rhythms through the streets of Georgetown on Saturday as the Children’s Costume and Float Parade returned for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic
The parade, which recognises children and celebrates Guyanese culture in February every year, was not held in two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The event has grown, and this year, it drew several hundred children to the huge parade, with scores of spectators.
This event culminates a series of activities that were organised by the Education Ministry to usher in Guyana’s 53rd Republic Day celebrations.
Guyana Times spoke with a few schools, and Stephan Johnson, a teacher at Kingston Secondary School, said their school was representing the Bandstand on the seawalls.
“This year’s theme is revelling our infrastructure development, and we decided to do the float to represent the Kitty seawall, which is the First Lady’s project… this is what we need after two years, we are ready, we are back, and we are greater than ever. One Guyana.”
Sherwyn Blackman, Regional Education Officer of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) said, “It is indeed amazing to be out here again, and giving the children the opportunity to participate and enjoy this after two years”.
Akeila Dey, a teacher at Ascension Secondary School, said that her school has not been on the road since 2019, and she is happy that after two years of battling the novel coronavirus, they were able to return to the streets.
“I feel very excited… the last that we were here in 2019, we were looking at our budding oil industry. I feel very excited, and enthusiastic, and it is a great opportunity to allow these children to have the experience, to represent something very patriotic,” she said.
This publication also spoke with some of the spectators who shared their excitement about the festivity.
“I am coming from Sophia, A Field, and I am excited about the parade. I feel excellent being out here after two years,” Malinda Arthur said.
Before Saturday’s event, there were also local, regional, and national level competitions in dance, song, dramatic poetry, and masquerade that featured children.
This year’s celebrations are being celebrated under the theme “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”.
See photos on Page 21