Speaking at his store, in Robb Street, Georgetown, he told the Chronicle it was not his intention to be on the road this year, after supplying most of the other camps with materials imported duty free.

However, when word got around that his group was not going to participate in the float parade, fans bombarded him with phone calls and countless requests, causing him to relent and compete again.

Feathers, spandex, beads and sequins have been thrown into the making of some creative designs that will add to the glitter as different costumes would be worn under the theme 'Back to Basics'.

Wills said he anticipates that the colourful feathers will be quite an eye pleaser on the heads of female revellers dancing through the city streets, taking spectators back to the early years of Guyana's history.

Their floats will depict the 'Guyana Forest', 'El Dorado, the City of Gold', porkknockers searching for the precious metal, the ship on which the different races came here and slaves cutting cane in the fields.

Other depictions will be of the time when lanterns were the only means of lighting in streets, homes and offices and a flower representing the six races as one people, Wills said.

He said the float will also offer a glimpse of clothing worn in the past and pay tribute to the big vats (wooden reservoirs) that were used to store water, including one dedicated to the first people of Guyana, Amerindians.

While Wills expects the competition to be at a higher level this year, a factor favourable to Rayon is that its costumes are not just displays but carry a message.