Colourful and true also was the purposefulness with which the kids strut their stuff in an all-out effort at ensuring that their respective schools secured a place in a contest that marked the end of four days of fierce competition in the disciplines of dance, costume, physical display, masquerade, calypso and dramatic poetry.

That purposefulness, coupled with the fact that turnout seems to be getting bigger and bigger with each passing year, may have only served to help make the judges’ jobs that much tougher this year, judging by the time it was taking them to arrive at a decision.

Up to mid-afternoon, long after the last contingent had made its way past the judges’ booth, stationed outside the Bank of Guyana in the vicinity of the Cenotaph, they were still seen hunched over the score sheets trying to tally the scores.

Children’s ‘Mash’ Committee Member, Mr. Henry Rodney, later confirmed that turnout has indeed improved over the years as has everything else having to do with the event. The parade saw participation from nursery, primary and secondary schools and other children’s organisations, and comprised floats and individual and regional presentations.

And, like Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey, Rodney too is optimistic that the Children’s Mash Competitions will become a national institution with time.

“Every year the costumes keep improving; [as have] the lyrics; the calypsos; the rhythm; [and] the tempo,” Rodney said.

“I think this children’s competition is going to grow from strength to strength. Each year it’s gonna be bigger; it’s gonna get better every year as we progress,” he added.

He is also of the opinion that the improvements evident are largely due to the many workshops the Unit of Allied Arts (UAA), which is responsible for sponsoring Children’s Mash, have been holding in the various administrative regions so as to explain and discuss the criteria of judging and the guidelines and rules governing each competition.

“It shows that the workshops were not in vain. The teachers attend these workshops and they go and put what they’ve learnt into practice,” Rodney said.

“…we see it as a reflection in the children. It comes out in the showmanship; the craftsmanship; the display,” he added.

He was, however, particularly pleased with Region Two (Pomeroon/Siparuni)’s performance over the years and singled them out for special praise.

“I must laud Region Two; they’ve come a long way and done a lot of home-work. They’re almost there; I think we need to take our hats off to them,” Rodney said.

He also commended Bartica, which is part of Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), and Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) for having increased their participation.

“All in all it was good,” Rodney said, referring to the overall competitions.

“I keep saying,” he said, “that you always find the best in children because they are always enthusiastic; they are always willing to come out and display; to compete.”

The parade got off to a later than its usual 10:00hrs start, moving off from the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary and heading west along Barrack Street; south into High and Main; around the Cenotaph for the judging; then east along Church Street, and north into Camp Street before making a left into Middle Street and heading straight for the Parade Ground.

It was joined in Main Street outside the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport by the Nursery segment which led the contingent from thereon.

Among strong points the judges were looking for were originality, clarity, mobility of costume, presentation, craftsmanship and colour.

The judges, five in all, were Ms. Volda Ramsammy, Ms. Barbara Waldrond, Ms. Bibi Ghanie, and Ms. Josefa Valz, and Mr. Raymon Cummings, Director of Research and Documentation within the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Culture.

Results are to be announced later.