We’re sure you’ve seen the posters and billboards, you have even seen the advertisements but here’s the scoop….
The Guyana Coconut Festival is set for the 21st to the 24th of October this year.
The festival is actually the fruit of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Business – Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture along with support from the ITC and Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute. The main purpose of the scheduled activities is to re-educate Guyanese people about the diverse benefits of coconuts. These include the health and cosmetic benefits as well as the nutritional value and the decorative uses of the shell, tree trunk, branches and fronds. These are supplemented by education on the multiple means for up-cycle and down-cycle manufacturing.
Participants from countries far and wide are anticipated, each with their own special contribution.
From Brazil there will be exhibitors of coconut equipment, coconut cuisine and a special presenter while from Suriname, a large contingency of tourists, performers and exhibitors are expected. There will also be exhibits from Mexico, India and other parts of the Caribbean as well as Representatives of the International Trade Centre (ITC) from Switzerland.
The Guyana Coconut Festival will be held during Coconut Awareness Week which is a week that extends from October 15 to October 23. The main focus is on the coconut and its variety of uses as well as its economic and creative possibilities.
Here is a list of proposed activities for the festival as well as Coconut Awareness Week:
– Speedboat parade in the Pomeroon to mark River Appreciation Day- Saturday October 15
– Coconut Walkathon, Launch of Lady Coco, Coconut motorcade to Mahaicony Ground for World Food Day observance- Sunday October 16
-State of the Industry Forum and Launch of Coconut Development Road Map- Thursday October 20
-Coconut Summit and Coconut Fashion evening- Friday October 21
-Coco Splash Soca event- Saturday October 22
-Coconut Awards Ceremony and Closing Reception for Sponsors- Sunday October 23
