Religious band among new Mash entries - Trinidad posse due Stabroek News February 19, 2000 A number of new bands including a religious contingent sponsored by Outreach International and spearheaded by Bishop Juan Edgehill will be on parade during this year's Costume Bands and Float Parade on Mash Day. Among the new entries is the Rayon House of Fashions, Grace Kennedy ((Guyana) Ltd and the United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA). Briefing the media on Thursday on events leading up to Mash Day, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira also announced that a group of Trinidadian revellers will be taking part in the one-day activity but they will not be competing for prizes. Pointing out that each year the activity gets bigger and bigger, the minister declared Mashramani is here to stay. Appealing for volunteers, Teixeira said that there will be need for marshals, and monitors to work along the parade route. She further appealed for bands taking part to begin at Camp and Church Streets to ensure no bottlenecks and other hitches. She also advised bands to submit entries to be part of the competition or their outfit will not be judged and some revellers may be disappointed. Over 40 government and non-government organisations have indicated their participation in this year's Mash Day contest and entries are still being submitted, Teixeira said. She also reiterated that indications are that the event will be bigger and better this year and appealed for more sponsorship. Referring to the Children's Mashramani Competitions which have grown over the years, she said that the National Cultural Centre which has been used as the venue for the finals of the children's activities in the past can no longer accommodate some of the activities and a larger venue will be sought. Convenor of the Children's Mashramani Competitions, Desiree Wyles-Ogle, told Stabroek News that the finals of the dance competitions may have to be shifted to the National Park. Teixeira also expressed gratitude to the private companies which are sponsoring a number of national events. In addition some of the sponsors are putting out contingents on the road on Mash Day. Inviting other sponsors to come forward she listed those who are already helping. They are Fernleaf Milk Powder, Courts Furniture Store, Banks DIH, Grace Kennedy (Guyana) Ltd, Ansa McAl Trading, Demerara Tobacco Company, North American Airlines, Western Union Money Transfer, Creative Advertising, Colgate Palmolive, Guyana Oil Company, K&VC Hotel, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Guyana Lottery Company and Omai Gold Mines Limited. Meanwhile, the Fernleaf Children's Road March which will be held today will move off from Independence Park at 10:00 hrs heading west into Middle Street, south into Main Street, east into Church Street, north along Camp Street and into Camp Road to the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary.