Thousands of residents of all ages and backgrounds came together for the party of the year — and made it a Cup Match to remember.

This year’s two-day extravaganza of cricket, crown and anchor and camaraderie to celebrate the Island’s emancipation and its founding was a vibrant blur of smiling faces, happy banter, upbeat music, food and fun, fun, fun.

And — although Somerset bowled over St George’s in the end — the crowds who congregated at Somerset Cricket Club were the real winners.

A carnival atmosphere welcomed people as soon as they arrived in Somerset, with poles and roadsides adorned in bright blue and red flags. Posters of former Somerset cricket captains were flying high and proud, optimistic of another victory for the home side. Families camping out for the weekend could be spotted at beaches and parks in the West End, with barbecues blazing and coolers cracked open as they soaked up the sun and swam in the cooling, inviting Atlantic.

Crowds were flocking through the gates of Somerset Cricket Club from early on Thursday morning and it kept getting busier, with the stands packed with excited spectators by Friday afternoon. Trade was booming at a merchandise stall at the gates before it was even noon on Thursday, with St George’s t-shirts a hot seller and Somerset visors selling out.

The owner, Levon, revealed that “St George’s are selling the best”.

“They’re going to win here, believe that,” he said.

Just inside the gates, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s stall was giving out sunscreen to help spectators stay safe in the searing rays.

The centre’s education officer Gerri Landy and sunsmart coordinator Azuree Williams — wearing Somerset red and blue wigs — were inviting people to spin a wheel and answer a question about the health topic it stopped on, from the dangers of tobacco to what factor SPF you should be wearing.

Those answering questions also picked up useful prizes, including hats to protect their heads from the sun and wristbands that turned purple in UV light. A visitors-only seating area near the gates was also heaving with tourists keen to experience the fun and fervour of their first Cup Match.

Free samples of Swizzle were being handed out to adults as they sat back to watch the game. American tourists Bryan and Pam Pretzer from Boston, who were staying at The Reefs, were “loving” their first visit to Bermuda.

“We don’t know anything about cricket but we’re so happy to be here,” Mr Pretzer said.

“It’s a nice introduction to Bermuda,” his wife added. “Everyone is very friendly. We’ve already decided to come back.”

Kate Wells, from the UK, praised the “really welcoming” atmosphere and crowds. Nearby, alcohol awareness group CADA was dishing out free water, their message to drink responsibly visible on boardings around the ground and flying high in the sky courtesy of seven-foot balloons. Round at the rear of the ground, a string of food, beverage and goods stalls, with children picking up bubble machines, silly string and fun inflatable toys.

Hordes of youngsters were running around squealing with delight as they duelled with each other using inflatable cricket bats in each team’s colours, courtesy of sponsor HSBC.

A fun castle was also popular with little ones, giving them a chance to play and their parents a quick rest.

Sweating cricket fans queued up for snow cones and slushies in a desperate bid to cool down as temperatures hit the mid-80s. One resident keen to beat the heat courtesy of an icy lemon slushy was legal secretary Maria Terry, who was resplendent in Somerset red and blue.

“It’s such a fun day, my friends and I are having a brilliant time,” she said. “I’ve never been to Somerset Cricket Club before, the atmosphere is great.”

Cup Match wouldn’t be Cup Match without crown and anchor, and the crowds were keen to try their luck with the six-sided dice game.

For the few who didn’t know the rules, there were plenty of people only too happy to explain. Simply throw your money on a square the table. If the dice matches the section you’ve bet on, you win. If it doesn’t, your cash is swept away quicker than you can blink.

Only five tables seemed to be operating early on Thursday afternoon but each one was busy, with eager gamblers clutching fistfuls of dollars keen to win or lose. By 1pm on Friday the tent was heaving, the table operators yelling “come get this money” and “you play I pay” to attract patrons.

Across from the Crown and Anchor tent, queues were lining up at St David’s Seafood for conch fritters, shark hash, mussel pies and much more. The family-owned stall has been a Cup Match favourite for more than half a century.

“We’ve been here for more than 50 years, it’s traditional,” said owner McLaren Lowe. “We’ve good service and quality food. Shark hash is always popular, we can’t every have enough. The only time you can get it is at Cup Match or up in St David’s. And shrimp is selling well, they love their shrimp.”

Another popular stall was one selling a Bermudian-made vitamin drink, BlackBull Anaconda.

Close by, one small spectator enjoying a homemade snack was one-year-old Syah, who was at his first Cup Match with his mum Patrice Pedro.

Wearing a tiny Somerset T-shirt, he perfectly matched mum’s striking red and blue maxi dress.

“His daddy is St George’s,” laughed Ms Pedro. “We hope Somerset is going to win, we didn’t come up to watch them lose.”

In the stands, the roars from the crowds could probably be heard up in Dockyard as the game progressed.

Cheers for their favourite team competed to be heard above the pulsating music, with different DJs at opposite sides of the ground battling to have their playlist heard — at Cup Match, size matters — of your amp, at least.

Air horns blasted away to add to the din — but over and above the noise, what you could hear was laughter and happy voices as the Island came together. Friends Lawrence Outerbridge and Teddy Swainson were enjoying a chat at the rear of the stands — and debating which of their rival teams would win.

“My uncle was the first person to make a century in Cup Match,” said Mr Swainson, who was decked out in St George’s blue. “I think it will be a draw but I’m looking for a result,” Mr Outerbridge said, clutching a bag of T-shirts he had picked up for his family.

“It’s a good day to meet a lot of old friends. I’ve lived in America for 50 years and I’m home for Cup Match.”

Cheering on his son Greg Maybury, who plays for Somerset, was Greg Maybury Snr and his family at their camp.

“When he was a little boy he used to be down there practising during the lunch break,” said Mr Maybury, whose cousin is Somerset Cricket Club president Alfred Maybury. “I used to play for Somerset, too. We all play cricket. I think we’re looking at a draw.”

Mr Maybury’s friend, Rodney Caines, was rooting for St George’s, with the team’s blue ribbons streaming from a homemade Heineken top hat.

“He makes a new hat every year. If he adds some red to that it would be better,” Mr Maybury laughed.

At North Village Community Club’s camp, St George’s blue was the only colour to be seen wearing.

“Every year we have a beautiful day whether it’s rain, blow or shine,” said spectator Vance Hollis. “For Cup Match, Bermuda puts all politics aside and we enjoy the day.”

Everyone certainly seemed to enjoy themselves, from the tiny tots bouncing on the fun castle, to the twenty-somethings sipping Swizzle in the Sun, to the seniors on the edge of their deckchairs as they watched the excitement of the game. Bermuda was united in fun and friendship, with the smiles on spectators’ faces beaming brighter than the sun. Roll on next year.