The Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York) says Georgetown, Guyana mayor Patricia Chase-Green will be grand marshal of the annual Guyanese Independence Parade in Brooklyn on June 3, 2018.
The Committee said on Friday that the parade is part of Guyana’s 52nd Independence celebration in New York, which will be held from June 3 – 10.
Other top invitees include Guyana’s Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Guyana’s Attorney General Basil Williams, and other ministers; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo; New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio; US congressional representatives Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly; Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN Michael Ten-Pow; and Guyana’s Ambassador to the US Dr. Ryiad Insanally.
Committee chairman, Rickford Burke, told Caribbean Life that he and executive members have been meeting with New York officials and members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in finalizing plans for the celebrations.
Burke particularly lauded Adams for his “exceptional efforts to endure a successful celebration and for donating US$5,000.00 towards the celebration.”
The 1.7 miles parade takes place on Sunday, June 3, at 10 am.
The parade commences at Church and Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn, culminating at the Brooklyn Museum on Washington Avenue and Eastern Parkway.
Burke said a Unity Concert will be held on the same day at 1:30 pm at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring, among others, Guyanese reggae superstar Dexta Daps; Carib Soca Monarch Brandon Harding; Soca stars Jumo Primo, Adrian Duchin, Blaze Antonio, Treyvon Vibez and Melissa Vanilla Roberts; and chutney artists Terry Gajraj and Vicadi Singh.
Burke said recording artists Eddie Neblet, Kapa Shanti, Lisa Punch and Jihnny Go Figure will also appear.
A flag-raising ceremony, to be conducted jointly by members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) and Guyanese in the US Military, will precede the concert at 1 pm, Burke said.
Other activities include the Independence Festival, to be held on Saturday, June 9.
The Independence Cup Soccer tournament is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 10, at noon at the Old Boys High School Soccer Field in Brooklyn.
Burke said “Guyanese pride will be on full display when the New York Diaspora unites for one celebration.”
He said the celebration will be held under the theme, “Celebrate Guyana to the World.”
Nevlon Duguid, director of communications for the organizing group, said the annual event is the second largest West Indian celebration in New York, after the Labor Day Carnival parade.
He said the historic 2016 jubilee celebration attracted more than 20,000 Guyanese, while more than 10,000 attended in 2017.
“Interest has peaked astronomically this year. We expect to mobilize a greater number of Guyanese in 2018.”
