Vibrant sprits, high zeal profuse as thousands join Independence Day parade

By Devina Samaroo

Euphoria and patriotism filled the air as masses of jubilant faces plastered with bright smiles overflowed the sidelines of the opening route of the grand inaugural Independence Day float parade, a massive festival commemorating Guyana’s 50th Jubilee celebrations.

With high spirits, thousands assembled at the Stabroek Market Square and eagerly got into formation with their respective bands, paying little worry to the overcast skies above.

Booming music then took over and the crowd grew wild with excitement as they began to revel down the road, exhibiting a profusion of local talent and creativity in their costume designs and uniqueness of their floates.

The atmosphere was nothing short of electric as the float parade participants gyrated down the Brickdam, proudly waving the Golden Arrowhead in the air.

Some 28 bands marched down this route, making their way to the spanking new D’Urban Park arena, where thousands of onlookers had already gathered to welcome the colourful costume and float parade.

D’Urban Park was already transformed into a hive of commercial activities, with scores of vendors setting up shop hoping to capitalise on the vast number of patrons who turned out in love and unity to take part in the jubilee festivities.

Do not be fooled to think the onlookers just stood idly by and watched in awe as the parade of exotic colours marched on, for pumped revellers were seen jumping into the procession, dancing to the beats of the various genres of music.

The parade in its vibrant atmosphere comprised of both adult and children’s costume bands, which all fell in place with the theme of the Guyana’s anniversary celebration; a time for the country to reflect on its past, celebrate in its accomplishments and be inspired to work towards the further growth of the country.

Down at jubilee park, persons erupted in cheers and applause as their favourite costume band made their way onto the enormous tarmac to be judged.

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo subsequently joined the celebrations at the Durban Park arena.

Other Government dignitaries later made their way to the jubilee park to mix with the crowd in observance of the country’s historic festivities.

Though the threatening weather initially disappeared for most of the day, huge showers came down later in the afternoon; however, celebrators were far from discouraged.

“The rain ain stopping we! The celebrations more sweet!” a group of young men declared outside a bar that was established on the outskirts of the Durban Park arena.

Meanwhile, some of the participating bands in this year’s first ever independence float parade were the Amazon Warriors, Digicel, the Guyana National School of Music, the Guyana National Service, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Tutorial High School, Caramel Secondary, the Education Ministry, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the Communities Ministry, among others.

Guyana Times caught up with Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson at the Durban Park facility where he was already heavily engrossed in the celebratory activities.

“I am extremely happy to be here. It is a monumental occasion, 50 years doesn’t come often. I am glad that everything is going well, the people seem to be enjoying themselves so I think all and all, it has been a good day,” he expressed.

He explained that 50 years of Guyana as an independent nation gives everyone an opportunity to press the “reset” button and mould the country into the nation we, the citizenry, want it to be.

Commenting on the Durban Park Project, which falls under the oversight of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Minister Patterson explained that assessments will first have to be done before a concrete decision is made on the way forward.

“It is supposed to be a green space for the benefit of every Guyanese… everything is conceptual at the moment. You would have probably seen the artistic designs. But the final decision will be representing the country about where we are and where we want to go,” he stated.

The event was hailed as one of the most memorable in Guyana’s history where persons from near and far, and even cross continent assembled in honour and recognition of the struggles made by their foreparents to achieve independence status on May 26, 1966.