Thousands turn out for US Independence Day celebration

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Front Street rocked to the sound of fireworks and music as it was turned into Main Street USA for a spectacular 4th of July celebration last night.

Among the sights at the event, which attracted thousands of visitors, was a charity race involving men in high heels and a hot dog eating contest.

The Chamber of Commerce described it as “Bermuda's biggest ever block party”.

Stores and vendors were festooned in red, white and blue and restaurants and bars sold American food and drinks at special celebratory prices.

Musical performances and a fashion show were followed by Pump It Up, a fundraiser for the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust featuring men in high heels strutting their stuff.

Don Burgess of the Bermuda Sun won the competition followed by delMonte Davis, circulation manager for The Royal Gazette. The event overall raised $15,000.

There was also a hot dog eating competition, won by Tuare Beek from Spanish Point, Pembroke, who downed six dogs in three minutes.

Joanne MacPhee of the Chamber of Commerce said: “The atmosphere was amazing. We had thousands of people out there and it's been chock-a-block all along Front Street and up Burnaby Hill.”

She said of Mr Beek's hot dog eating endeavours: “He was really cool and relaxed about it.”

For more pictures here

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