Thousands of people lined the streets of Hamilton yesterday to watch the annual Bermuda Day Parade.Sidewalks throughout the parade route from Bernard Park to City Hall were packed with people cheering on the gombeys and majorettes as they danced along the road.“I think the entire Island came out today,” said Reginald Flood, watching the parade from his seat on Church Street. “That's what makes it Bermuda Day. Everyone in Bermuda comes out and celebrates.”Mr Flood, like many other spectators, claimed his family's spot days in advance of the event.“Every year it seems to happen earlier,” he said. “I got down here not long after sunrise and people already had their chairs out.”For some spectators, the highlight of the day's events were the various parade floats depicting various elements of Bermudian heritage.TN Tatem Middle School earned the Premier's Award for best float with their entry featuring a gombey dancing near a moongate, but their entry was just one of several notable floats.A float depicting of the Spirit of Bermuda by the Bermuda Sloop Foundation won the Minister's Award, while the entry by Sandys Secondary School boasted a plethora of Bermuda images, including a lighthouse, longtails and cricket players. The school's entry earned the Ruth Thomas (Heritage) Award.Several entrants decorated their floats with floral depictions of Bermuda buildings including Alaska Hall, the Music Box and the new hospital building.Parade participants were tightly packed near the start of the course but had spread out as they neared the city centre much to the disappointment of some spectators.Fortunately it appeared as though the issue was fixed later in the afternoon, with the entrants progressing at a more steady pace.Jana Outerbridge, who watched the parade from Front Street, joked: “It seems like the floats get further and further apart each year. “I still love it. It's a great chance to be together with my family, eat some good food and enjoy the weather.”While last year's parade was affected by short showers, there was not a cloud in the sky yesterday with temperatures reaching a warm 24C/75F.Michael Burt, who sat with his family on Cedar Avenue said: “I'm glad we got the tent up, cause it's hot out there. I feel bad for my cousins out there in the parade.“It's tradition. We do this every year have some barbecue and watch the parade.”Donna McCannon, visiting the Island from Delaware in the United States, said that the parade was an unexpected surprise.“I think this is a lovely piece of Bermudian culture,” she said.”We had no idea this was a holiday weekend for you when we booked our trip, so this was an added bonus.”For more pictures click here