ALL those planning to visit Bartica for the highly-anticipated regatta in April, would be well advised to book early! Preferably now! As rooms are limited and going fast.

That’s according to Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall.

“Visitors are advised to make their bookings now since rooms are limited. Apartments are also available for group rentals,” he told the Buzz on Thursday.

As head of the event’s organising committee, Mayor Marshall said they’re in full preparation mode, as the objective is to make this year’s edition the best ever.

id they’re in full preparation mode, as the objective is to make this year’s edition the best ever.

The renowned Bartica Regatta has been affording the Guyanese public more than 45 years of exciting aqua sporting, with the draw this year being a return of such traditional sports events as basketball, volleyball, football, cricket and power-boat racing.

This year’s calendar of events will also see the staging of a Gymkhana, and the Regatta Comedy Show, complemented by the much- anticipated dirt bike racing and the ‘Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant’.
“This annual family event promises to provide an unforgettable experience for its patrons,” Marshall said, adding that venue preparations are moving apace, while the newly-renovated Bartica Community Centre and Golden Beach Boulevard are expected to hum with excitement for both young and old.

Bartica Regatta souvenirs are slated to go on sale shortly, while the Town Council will, in a few weeks, commission its souvenir shop at the Golden Beach Boulevard. This facility, though an economic project for the municipality, is expected to provide much- needed services to local and international tourists.

This year’s regatta is going to be nothing short of fantastic, with organisers promising an event that will be “immaculately planned and organised.”

Secretary for the ‘Regatta Committee’, Cianna Persaud has already started putting together proposals, getting plans ready, and ensuring that the sponsorship list is in place. With more emphasis being placed on the entertainment aspect of the event, international reggae artiste Glen Washington is billed to perform at this year’s regatta.

It has been confirmed that this year’s winner of the Miss Regatta pageant will receive $500,000 in cash, with the second place winner receiving $300,000, and third place receiving $100,000. The cash prizes are separate from any other prizes that would be given out, depending on how much more funds are received through sponsorships.

“This year’s regatta is going to be immaculately planned and organised, and patrons will be fully informed about what’s going on,”Persaud said.“We would not have an event where patrons will not be wowed when they walk through the door, because you’re going to see branding and ads; you’re going to see us showcase a clean, green and pristine town of Bartica with a face that is going to pop,” she told The Buzz recently.

The Bartica Regatta pageant is rumoured to be the oldest functioning beauty pageant in Guyana. “We’re talking and dating back to the 50s or even 40s, and we hope to keep it alive,” Pageant Trainer Sonjie Marslowe told this publication.

Meanwhile, the following are some of the items on the calendar of events:
Top model Segment: Third Avenue Boardwalk, 13:00 – 20:00hrs (April 7)
Carnival and Sashing Ceremony; Green Park, West Indian Housing Scheme, 16:00 hrs. (April 13)
Gymkhana Exhibition, Bartica Community Centre Ground, 14:00 – 17:00hrs (April 14)
Comedy Show, Bartica Community Centre Ground, 20:00 – 23:30 hrs. (April 14)
Intelligence Segment and TTS Channel 5 19:00hrs, Platform Presentation (April 17)
Football Finals, Bartica Community Centre Ground, 20:00hrs (April 18)
Gospel Fest; Green Park, West Indian Housing Scheme, 18:00 hrs. (April 19)
Regatta Dirt Bike Racing, Mongrippa Hill Ground, 10:00 hrs. (April 20)
Pageant Night, Bartica Community Centre Ground, 19:00 – 23:00 hrs. (April 20)
Ragatta Road Jam; Madison Square, First Avenue, 22:00 hrs. (April 20)
River Swim; Golden Beach, Third Avenue, 06:00 hrs. (April 21)
Regatta Racing and Beach Party, Golden Beach Circuit, 09:00 hrs. (April 21)
Regatta Racing and Beach Party, Golden Beach Circuit, 09:00 hrs. (April 22)
Regatta Washdown, Bartica Community Centre Ground, 19:00 hrs. (April 22)

Source: Guyana Chronicle