High expectations prior to the dawning of Mash Day yesterday were upheld as true to this year's Mashramani theme `Colourful and True in 2002' Georgetown exploded in a riot of colours and medley of rhythms with the Costume Band and Float Parade.

Revellers in 38 bands, for the first time in the history of the parade, took to the streets gyrating to popular local and Caribbean Soca music to climax this year's Republic anniversary celebrations.

And in spite of the fun and frolic the underlying themes and messages could not be ignored as costumes in glitter and glamour and even sombre hues told of love and unity, practising healthy lifestyles (and the consequences if you do not), care of the environment and education for all-round development among others. There was a heavy focus on HIV/AIDS awareness.

True to the meaning of Mashramani, successes and failures were also highlighted, probably with the aim of making things better as Guyanese for next year's celebrations.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira, who seemed to be everywhere, at the starting point along the route and in the National Park, at the same time, noted the increase in participation particularly among small businesses, which she commended. There was an increase in local music on the road march, but Ronny MacIntosh's "Biting Incex" and some of Allison Hinds' last year tunes were clearly more popular. "Arrowhead" by overseas-based Guyanese Courtney Noel was also popular and what was also noticeable was the patriotism as many revellers and spectators waved miniature Golden Arrowheads and wore scarves and head ties in the colour of the national flag.

A number of government ministers and heads of organisations including Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey; Minister of Fisheries Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh; and Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation Representative, Dr Bernadette Theodore-Gandi.

The revellers and the spectators came from far and wide and they were among the young and old and from all walks of life. There was not an inch of space to spare on the Merriman Mall from Camp to Irving streets and the same could be said for Lamaha Street to Thomas Road. Food stalls and barbecue pits tantalized the taste buds and the drink bars were a welcome sight to quench the thirst on what was a relatively hot and humid day. This, however, did not deter the thousands who came out with picnic baskets and tarpaulins. Cars, mini-buses, vans all served as mini-kitchenettes and snack bars.

Some spectators told Stabroek News that they came from Berbice and Corentyne.

A group of spectators said that they were there to give support to the Region One (Barima/Waini) contingent. The hinterland regions were not to be left out and received rounds of applause as they made their way around the National Park tarmac before the crowd which included President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Mrs Yvonne Hinds.

The region's designers have shown improvement in recent years, but the work of John Fernandes, Derek Moore, Joseph Jackson and Prince Wills of Rayon House of Fashions were among the more outstanding yesterday. Other upcoming designers on the scene were Rawle Franklin and Akeima McPherson.

When Hinds joined the Region Ten contingent for its lap around the National Park, a loud cheer went up from the National Park crowd.

The late start to the parade was no indication of the preparation that went into this year's designs as revellers were assembling at Mash Camps from as soon as daybreak. Compared to last year when the first band moved off at exactly ten minutes before the scheduled moving off time of 1000 hrs, this year the first band moved off some 45 minutes late.

Lifeline Counselling Services, which took the lead was eventually the fourth band to enter the National Park after its music stalled. It was followed by M&M Theatre, a group featuring a number of children, which was the first to enter the park, followed by Habitat for Humanity, Don Gomes Optical and A&D Funeral Home.

As is usual, Rayon House of Fashion on Robb Street was outstanding in the big bands commercial category but was under threat of being dethroned. Other outstanding bands were the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health/Pan American Health Organisation, the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Stabroek News accompanied by the popular band, Jahrusalem, was not to be left out. The third band bringing up the rear and one of two in the animal-drawn category, Stabroek News attracted a huge posse, which joined the band as it passed along. The following behind the PNC band was not as large as in recent years prompting a spectator to remark that Stabroek News probably stole the PNC's crowd.

Spectators spilled over onto Church Street causing the bands to move slowly to the National Park. The crowd was even thicker between Irving Street and Thomas Road, but there was a strong police presence on the streets, and the crowd was well behaved.

By 1545 hrs a number of contingents sat it out on Thomas Road as they waited to gain entry to the National Park tarmac in their last bid to woo the judges and the crowd for the coveted prizes at stake. The last band made it to the park as night fell. So even though this year's Mash has been dubbed bigger and better than any other seen in recent times with improvement in costume design, a number of hitches still remain.