The music was infectious and the streets were aglitter with colours as the huge throngs of people gathered along the traditional main vantage points for the float parade and to participate in the truly unique Guyanese style of pomp and revelry associated with Mashramani since it began 33 years ago.

The costume bands from the private and public sectors and the administrative regions began assembling at the kick-off point - Camp and Church streets - just before midday, tramping their way to steelband music and popular hits blaring from `boom boom' sets in vehicles.

The bands moved along Church Street and Irving Street converging at the National Park where they paraded before moving out to wend their way down Vlissengen Road where huge crowds were gathered to watch them go by.

President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, members of the Cabinet, and other officials of the government, Miss Venezuela, Cynthia Landar Zamora, here for the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant Saturday night, were among the large crowd in the National Park as the costume bands performed.

Because of the large crowds along the way, many of the costume bands were still outside the National Park after 15:00 hrs, trying to gain entry to the tarmac.

Officials said some 25 costume bands participated in the float parade.

Last year winner, Rayon House of Fashions, was back again in its usual attractive and well decorated float.

Among other popular floats were `Hits and Jams' and the Carib Band.

Families, young people and even the elderly turned out for the occasion and a spirit of brotherhood, national harmony and unity was clearly evident.

From the early hours of the morning vendors and others involved in commerce began to assemble their stalls and places of selling, displaying their goods with zeal, enthusiasm and confidence, firmly believing that the occasion would provide a wonderful opportunity for business.

People were resplendent in outfits of all descriptions, many females in daring, skimpy garments, attracting the eyes and compliments of admiring males.

Nearly everyone the Chronicle spoke with expressed an optimistic and upbeat view of the celebrations, even though their expectations and levels of participation varied.

Some preferred to use the occasion for a quiet family day of relaxation, while others looked forward to a day of sheer enjoyment, rollicking and gyrating to soca music and other contemporary beats Guyanese love, when celebrating such occasions.

Despite the current crime situation, Guyanese, even though a bit skeptical, were determined to adopt a positive attitude on this occasion.

Many persons and families told the Chronicle they were satisfied with the security and other arrangements for the national and festive occasion, complimenting the organisers for doing an excellent job in making all the preparations and arrangements for the celebrations.

Others looked forward to viewing the traditional float parade, taking in the colourful atmosphere and revelry.

As part of the security arrangements, a Guyana Defence Force helicopter hovered over the city at intervals.

Security was stepped up following the infamous jailbreak on Mash Day last year when five dangerous criminals fled the Georgetown Prisons, killing a Prison Warden and seriously wounding another.

As the day wore on yesterday, revellers transformed the festive atmosphere into one of a carnival, as the thousands who were out on the streets began to gyrate in the traditional bacchanal style.

With today being a national holiday, the fun was due to go on well into the night at parties in and around Georgetown.

Earlier, last Thursday the Steel Band competition was held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the Church category was won by the Nazarene Steel Orchestra, while the Individual Ping Pong category was retained by defending champion, Colgrain Whyte.

In the Small Band category defending champion Park Side also retained its title with an enthusiastic performance of `Cricket in the jungle'.