Linden Mash attracts thousands

In keeping with the theme “Reflecting Creativity, Celebrating Diversity”, thousands, including revellers and spectators, swarmed the streets of the bauxite mining town of Linden on Sunday, as Region 10 hosted its annual Mashramani and float parade celebration in commemoration of the country’s 43rd republican anniversary.

While the grand celebration is held in the capital city of Georgetown on February 23 each year, scores of persons look forward to travelling to the birthplace of the celebration, as was evident on Sunday. Many onlookers declared this year’s celebration in Linden as one of the biggest they had seen in years, owing to the number of spectators present on the streets to witness the event.
Revellers, displaying flamboyant costumes, assembled from the Bayroc Sand Reserve and the Christianburg Community Centre Ground, both at Wismar, then marched along Burnham Drive and One Mile, Wismar, gyrating to the sounds of soca music, performed by both local and international artistes, and delivered by popular sound systems.
Among the groups and businesses which participated in the extravagant costume parade this year were the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which led the contingent from the Bayroc ground, Linden Technical Institute (LTI), Digicel, Stag and Banks DIH.
The sun shone bright throughout the day, allowing persons who came from all walks of life to view the procession with ease. It was a day of fun and partying and not to mention a day to sample exquisite Guyanese cuisine as food handlers lined the streets of both the Wismar and Mackenzie shore to accommodate those who longed for it.
The revellers from Christianburg and Bayroc met and congregated along the Winifred Gaskin Highway at Wismar, and then it was over to the Mackenzie shore, adding more persons to the already large gathering along the way. Despite the floats being few in numbers, it all began to add up as curious onlookers mixed, danced and mingled with the members of the procession, much to the amusement and dissatisfaction of some.
After congregating along the Winifred Gaskin highway, revellers made their way across the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge, then along Washer Pond road, past the Five Corner area, then assembled at the Linden/Georgetown mini-bus park. There was fun for everyone, including the children who were delighted by fascinating toys and attractions such as a ‘kids zone’ which included trampolines and rides.
At sundown, it was time for the after mash parties at Club L&L, Club Library 3 and a street jam along Republic Avenue for the older folks.