Decorative lights around the Park ’s tarmac created the perfect atmosphere for celebration and seats were quickly filled early in the evening, leaving few spaces by the time the programme started at about 20:00 hours.

President Bharrat Jagdeo addressed the nation just before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted at midnight, announcing that joint Police and Army operations to confront crime would continue, and assuring Guyanese that the Government would spare no resource in the fight, which he said remained a priority.

The President linked the upsurge in crime to trans-national problems spawned by globalization, but charged the citizenry to meet its other challenges by restructuring and creating new higher value-added, internationally tradable sectors.

He also urged the nation to keep an eye on the transforming effect of the reformed Constitution and to “seize” the looming opportunity of a new standard of political conduct with the recently launched ‘constructive engagement’ with the main opposition People’s National Congress/Reform.

Among the gathering enjoying the evening’s programme and witnessing the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead and a beautiful fireworks display were children and babies, clad in sweaters and caps or hats, and senior citizens.

Even some street children were caught up in the excitement, racing through the stands playing ‘catcher’, while hucksters peddled from delicacies to attractive interactive toys, including bubble blowers and odd-shaped balloons. One also had Guyana flags on sale.

An entertaining cultural presentation set the tone for the evening with an exquisite stage setting illuminated by disco lights and several shades of floodlights. The stage at the southern section of the Park’s tarmac was wide and offered much room for the dancers, singers and musicians.

Male and female ranks of the Guyana Police Force, strategically placed around the borders of the tarmac, successfully ensured that law and order were maintained.

The size of the speakers, though comparatively large around the stage, proved insufficient to reach out to the packed Park and it sometimes took a special effort to hear clearly some of the songs being rendered.

Calypsonian “Lady Tempest”, in shimmering attire reflecting the green, gold, black, white and red hues of the national flag, dedicated her rendition, ‘Survival of the fittest’, to all Guyanese.

The New Generation Band of Eccles, East Bank of Demerara, belted out some old Indian melodies and Ideas Foundation - a group of youths - sang about the danger of HIV/AIDS and warned, “AIDS is dangerous…”

The Parkside Steel Orchestra rendered some patriotic and popular soca songs, while the Sheriff Deputies Band did the usual ‘jump up’ tunes, much to the delight of the crowd.

The first appearance by the military on the tarmac was sudden and swift and the crowd was pleasantly surprised when floodlights were turned on to reveal four units marching briskly northwards.

The Guyana Police Force Band performed patriotic songs - ‘Oh Beautiful Guyana’ and ‘Guyana the Free’, among others.

Shortly after, President Jagdeo arrived to loud cheers and a welcome by Prime Minster Sam Hinds. The Head of State then performed the traditional inspection of the guards.

The second part of the cultural presentation followed with popular folk songs, including ‘Jane Engage’, and with participation by some 400 students from schools across the country. The first group danced to the popular tune “Arrowhead” with young men in white running onto the tarmac proudly holding aloft Guyana’s flag and accompanied by young women decked in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead.

The tempo soon changed as dozens of seven-year-old lasses danced to the folk tune, ‘Small days is still on my mind’.

Teenagers then took over, sporting white outfits and bracelets that glowed in the dark. The floodlights were taken off as they made their entrance and the captive audience gave loud “oohhs” and “ahhhs” as the youths did an excellent piece using their white shirts, which they took off and waved. Every movement of their hands, which glowed in the dark, produced an eerie, yet beautiful effect.

The lights came back on just in time for all to see them perform several acrobatic stunts, including synchronised flicking, and act out scenes to the tune of ‘Cricket in the jungle’.

The last group entered to the sound of ‘Umbrella Party’ and the crowd shouted in delight as the young women twirled and waved their umbrellas and moved their hips while using their feet to smoothly make wide sweeps across the tarmac. Dressed to match the colour of the umbrellas they held, they executed their moves while keeping a lady-like poise with their umbrellas.

After the President delivered the feature address, the symbolic hoisting of the flag followed, moving a few inches towards the top each time the drums of the Guyana Police Force Band rolled.

The Band then played the national anthem and Guyanese sang in unison, loudly and proudly before reciting the national pledge and praying.

A fabulous fireworks display followed, illuminating the night sky for miles around, and the President, after a few minutes of handshaking and waving, departed with outriders.