Colour and creativity abounded yesterday when the Ministry of Education’s annual Children’s Mashramani Costume Competition and Road March took to the streets.

Starting at the Parade Ground and ending at the National Park, the competition saw the participation of a number of nursery, primary and secondary schools as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Though the event got off to a bit of a late start, commencing at 10.30 am instead of 10 am; its participants entertained, order was maintained and by 1.30 pm it was all over.

These Cherished Lambs took to the streets on Friday with their ‘basket of vegetables’ as they celebrated Mashramani . (Photo by Aubrey Crawford)

It was a day filled with fun and excitement and though the rain threatened from time to time and there were a few light drizzles, it did not stop the parade. Scores of spectators lined the route as the parade left the Parade Ground, went east along Middle Street to Camp Street, north along Camp Street to Lamaha, east along Lamaha Street to Albert Street and north along Albert Street to the National Park.

Numbering about 100, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) sponsored band was the largest and saw the participation of a number of schools. They danced to the theme “water is life: don’t waste it.”

The performances, the colours, and the energies were all representative of a truly cultural extravaganza and served only to complement this year’s Mashramani theme ‘One Dream, One Celebration and one Design in 2009’.

A ‘mashing’ time: The Ptolemy Reid Centre took to the streets around its Carmichael Street location on Friday with its Mashramani Parade. From the photo above great fun was had by all involved. (Photo by Aubrey Crawford)

The Kinston Nursery School had an outstanding costume depicting fruits and vegetables and sent the “grow more” food message. Its slogan read; “food, food in galore as we grow more.”

The Winfer Gardens Primary School was also outstanding with its, “celebration of colours.”
Dolphin Secondary was excellent; sending the message, “save the Dolphins.”

Region Three, dancing under the banner “designed for a healthy lifestyle,” was yet another eye-catching piece.
This newspaper understands that the results of the winners in the various categories will be announced on Tuesday.