Bermuda was at its best yesterday as the Island came together to celebrate the start of the summer.

And thousands thronged the streets of Hamilton and outskirts of the city as floats, bands and marchers made their way through the city to City Hall.

Caregiver Renesha Lightbourne, 25, from Hamilton Parish, had staked a spot with baby daughter Hannah at the top of Queen St.

“Bermuda Day is important because it brings everyone together — the youth as well as the adults — showing their talents,” she said. “I enjoy watching the majorettes and Gombeys — there’s a lot of different talents.”

Reuben Pearman, 21, from St David’s, watched the parade the corner of Reid St.

“It’s Bermuda’s heritage and it shows the community creativity with the things they’ve come up with, the floats and all that,” he said.

“It’s good because it shows support for the people that have put together the floats. As long as we see a good, enthusiastic spirit, it helps people to contribute more to the Island.”

The parade — with around 40 participants — was led to the finish line at City Hall by the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums.

Alice and Bruce, Repei, from Hamilton, Ontario, who are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on the Island, were watching the parade from the corner of Front Street and Queen Street.

“I’s a wonderful event — it really shows off the Island at its best,” Mrs Repei, 62, said.

“It’s obvious that this is such a close-knit community where everyone knows each other — it’s such a friendly place, such a friendly community. Everyone’s talking to each other.

Mr Repei, also 62, added: “The parade is different to what we have back home, where the floats are packed bumper-to-bumper. It’s a different style here, with a delay between each float and people socialising with each other in between.”

The couple, who own a number of coffee shops in Canada, were visiting Bermuda for the first time.

“A number of friends and family have been before and had good things to say about it and we wanted to do something special for our anniversary and go somewhere we hadn’t been before,” Mr Repei said.

“We haven’t been disappointed. We’re having a great time.”

Lisza Rawlins, 42, from St David’s, said: “I love the camaraderie and the fellowship with my fellow Bermudians — people that I know and people I don’t know.

“I enjoy the parade and the participants — may favourite part is always the Gombeys. I love the bright, vibrant colours and what they represent. They’re a Bermuda icon — I love to watch them move and dance.”

Island resident Stephie Li, from Warwick, originally from New Jersey, said it was the first time she had seen the parade.

“It’s great. Bermuda is beautiful, It’s like paradise and the people are very nice here,” she said. “It’s exciting. People are very happy and care about the big holiday for Bermuda.”

Her son, Andrew, aged five, said: “I liked the trampolines and the ice cream. I like the Gombeys too.”

Wayne Butterfield, 62, from Paget, added: “Bermuda Day to me is the first day of summer and we celebrate that and get out to see all the people.

“I just enjoy the whole day — the runners, the bikers, the parade. It’s just seeing people — old friends you haven’t seen for a while. It’s a tradition that we’ve developed over the years.

“It’s good for the young people as well — to know about their heritage is important.”

Pat Paparelli, 45, originally from Pennsylvania, and who works for a Bermuda air conditioning company, added: “There’s great community spirit. Everybody’s out here and having a great time and the weather’s beautiful.

“It’s one big party and everybody loves a party.”

Sandra Rawlins, 61, from Pembroke, said: “It’s a combination of the race, the parade and I love the majorettes. It brings out the best in people and everybody seems to be in a good mood enjoying themselves. It’s a special day for everyone.”

But it wasn’t all fun for the marshals who policed the route of the parade, including volunteer Bermuda Regiment soldiers and the latest crop of police recruits.

Police recruit Mel Easton, 20, from Pembroke, said: “I’m just enjoying being here. It’s our first time out in uniform. I like the atmosphere — it’s one of those times when everybody comes together and they’re carefree, want to relax and enjoy the day.”

Colleague Milton Hill, 27, of Pembroke added: “Everybody has a nice carnival-style attitude. Everybody’s waving, saying ‘Hi’ and having a good time.”