Tourism Ministry, business houses to stage `The Main Street Big Lime'
THE Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry in collaboration with Guyanese business houses, in particular those located in Main Street, will showcase Guyana at a fair to be held on Main Street, come Monday, November 29. Dubbed the `The Main Street Big Lime', the unique extravaganza where cultural groups from Colombia, Suriname, Venezuela and Brazil will also be in attendance, will be declared open by President Bharrat Jagdeo at 10:00 hours. The announcement was made at a press briefing hosted by the Ministry yesterday at the Hotel Tower. Present at the briefing were key players: Ms Margo Boyce, Special Projects Officer in the Ministry; Mr Geoff Da Silva, Advisor on Governance in the Office of the President; Commissioner of Police, Mr Laurie Lewis; Mr Nazim Hassan, General Manager (Acting), New Guyana Marketing Corporation; Mr Donald Sinclair, Head, Tourism Studies Unit, University of Guyana and Ms Regina Spencer, Marketing and Training Consultant, Hotel Tower. According to Da Silva, the one-day event, "a Guyanese thing and about Guyanese" will see the activities taking place along the entire Main Street starting from the Cenotaph, and along High Street from Lamaha Street to Le Meridien, Pegasus. As a consequence, no traffic will be allowed to traverse the area unless for emergency purposes and for which exits have been identified. Among the businesses, Ministries and agencies which have indicated interest in participating are: the Hotel Tower; Guyana Stores Limited (GSL); Courts Furniture and Electrical Store, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports; the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA); Kross Color; Arapaima; Frandec; GA 2000; Palm Court; Customs; Cambridge; New Thriving Restaurant; Park Hotel; Main Street Plaza Hotel; Le Meridien, Pegasus and the Tiger Bay community. Others who will join them are: the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO); Banks DIH ; Ansa McAl Limited; New Guyana Marketing Corporation; Lake Mainstay Resort; Roraima Airways and Acme Photo Studio. Performances by the local and foreign cultural groups will take place on the grounds of State House, while other activities are planned for the Prime Minister's residence. Of special note, Da Silva said, will be the illuminating of trees along Main Street on the said night. In addition, Mingles Sound Machine, Yoruba Singers, Jahrusalem Band, Banks Invaders will provide musical entertainment. Ms Boyce mentioned that the idea is to attract a wide cross-section of Guyanese, especially from Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands); Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); Bartica, Berbice and Linden. She said that contacts are being made with the various Regional Chairmen in an effort to have excursions arranged to facilitate attendance by residents of those communities. Mr Sinclair noted that the idea of a Festival of Guyanese cultures where Guyanese handicraft, manufacture, cuisine and cultures will be showcased was mooted in 1997, during a Tourism Cultural Fiesta. Remarking that the November 27 fair coincides with Tourism Awareness Month, Sinclair said the intention is to make the event an annual affair so as to attract tourists. Commissioner Lewis, who gave the assurance that patrons will have adequate security, said the Police will also have in attendance its Military Band, Choir and Steel Orchestra. Speaking on behalf of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, Hassan said the agency plans to have a repeat of the showcasing of Guyanese products, as was evident at the recent exhibition at the Harbour Bridge Mall. Meanwhile, the Hotel Tower which Spencer said "has a big surprise" in store, has among its plans the provision of affordable accommodation for persons wishing to overnight.
|