Guyana Carnival parade illuminates Georgetown

A kaleidoscope of colours and patriotism gushed onto Main Street, Georgetown on Tuesday afternoon as the Guyana Carnival took centre stage in the capital city. The blistering Guyanese sunshine illuminated the picturesque scenes even more as the likes of the Genesis, Euphoria Mas, Crystal Ivy, Fete-ish Mas, Yemaya as and Mas Mani bands filled the streets with exuberant revellers. The effort of the Guyanese creatives working on the various bands shone through their immaculate designs with striking colours on show.

While most designers opted for the customary feathers and jewels; elements such as trains, crowns, halos and hand-held pieces added depth to the costumes on display. There was something for everybody and for those who opted not to go all-out in the traditional Carnival attire, bands like Genesis and Crystal Ivy offered trousers and T-Shirts amongst their modest options.

Nonetheless, promptly at start time, onlookers and supporters assembled on the route to catch a glimpse of what was an exciting afternoon of Soca music, dancing and celebrations. Making up a majority of the crowd were Guyanese of the Diaspora, who were proudly clad in patriotic Independence wear, sporting the colours of the Golden Arrowhead.

Those patrons, who had returned home to celebrate Guyana’s Diamond Independence Jubilee, seized the opportunity to cash in on the carnival events and according to one group, Tuesday’s parade was something they just couldn’t miss. “We didn’t get to come for Mash. We love Mash and this is the next best thing. So, we had to come and watch the carnival. It’s looking great so far,” one patron told the Guyana Times.

Another onlooker said to this publication, “I’ve been seeing the carnival in May on Facebook for a couple years, so this year I decided I had to see it for myself. When I left Guyana as a kid, it wasn’t really a carnival country. So, I’m glad to see how they have the parade now.”

One reveller in the Genesis band later shared, “The girls do their thing today. I love how the ladies look. The route was shorter than last year so we ain’t tired yet. Big up the Guyana Carnival.”

The vibrant parade began at the Cenotaph monument outside of the Bank of Guyana. The revellers moved North on Main Street, taking the fete onto the Kingston Seawall and back south onto Camp Street. Thereafter, they proceeded onto Young Street and back onto Main Street, Georgetown for a grand closing celebration at the starting point.

The Guyana Carnival offered over a week of events for patrons to enjoy featuring a star- studded line-up of international performers. Among the highlights were the El Dorado Stingingnettles, Xtra Stink and Dutty Jouvert, Magnum Badderation, Soca and Wine and Kabisa “Kool Out”. The Guyana Carnival concludes today with the Pan and Soca event at featuring Trinidad’s Soca singer, Nadia Batson.