Emancipation 2026 – List of Activities

Pre-Emancipation

• Launch Event & Press Conference – The Pegasus Hotel (17th July, 2026 at 10:30 am)
• The “Clementine Marshall” African Market – Main Street Avenue (13th – 31st July, 2026 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily)
• Emancipation Spiritual Tribute in collaboration with the 1823 Committee – Parade Ground (6:30 pm Daily)

Emancipation Day

On “Freedom Day”, 1st August, 2026, all roads lead to the National Park.

• Sunrise Services (5:30 am – Tarmac)
• Gates open (10:00 am)
• Ansa McAl sponsored Cook-Up Competition – (11:00 am, Carifesta Parking Lot)
• Ansa McAl sponsored Metemgee Competition – (12:00 pm, Carifesta Parking Lot)
• The “Bishop Irving” Drumming Competition – (1:00 pm, Tarmac)
• 400 Years Strong: Celebrating our Heritage… Poetry Competition (Centre Stage)
• Best Dressed Competition (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Centre Stage)
• International & Regional Performers
  • International Reggae Sensations – I Wayne & Queen Ifrica
  • International Cultural Presentation: South African Princess, HRH Princess Tshepi Motloung
  • Nigerian and Surinamese Performing Acts
  • Regional Drumming Groups
• Local Performers
  • Acrobats, Majorettes, Twirlers, Masqueraders
  • 50+ Musical Artistes/Poets/Performers including: First Born, Kwasi Ace, Big Red, Charmaine Blackman, Young Bill Rogers, Gad I King, OKC, Kaiya Music, I Lambi, and so much more
  • 20+ Performing Groups (Dance, Skits, etc.): ACDA Dancers, Kreative Arts, Joro Dance, etc.
  • 4+ Live Bands
• Educational Booths
  • African Cultural & Development Association Story and History – 33 Years
  • Booths: Hello Africa, 400 Yrs Strong, 1823 Rebellion, African Guyanese Village Movement, Hairstyles, History, Music, Names, Inventions, etc.
• Children’s Parade and Fun Centre Activities (10:00 am – 4:30 pm)
  • “Hello ACDA-Guyana” Participants’ Parade
    • Most Creative Costume/float
  • Children Fun Centre
    • Folk Games
    • Face Painting
    • Storytelling
    • Colouring
    • Bouncy Castles
• MAKEDA Fashion Competition – Judging Centre Stage (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
  • Best African Dressed: Male, Female, Child & Family
• Music, Dance & Poetry
  • Group Dance Competition
  • Drumming Competition
  • Young and Gifted Performer (Male)
  • Young and Gifted Performer (Female)
  • Poetry
• Food
  • Cook-Up Competition
  • Metemgee Competition
  • “Wuh Deh In Yuh Pot”
• Johnny “Overseas” Barnwell Day of Sports – Sporting Activities
  • FREEDOM RACE
  • 8-over Softball Cricket Competition for area teams, Female & Male
  • 8-over Tape Ball Cricket Competition for area teams, Male
  • 5-a-side and Penalty Shoot-Out Small Goal Football Competition for area teams and under-13-year-old teams
  • 5-a-side Small Goal Football Match for females
  • Volleyball Competition
  • Domino Competition for areas
  • 60m Children’s Race, boys and girls

Post-Emancipation

• Award Ceremony & Reception – ACDA’s AKWAABA Centre