This columnist confesses to being nearly overwhelmed trying to keep abreast of events highlighting our National Heroes.

Our celebrations began with a party on Front Street on Friday evening that moved to Dockyard early on Saturday morning and culminated that afternoon with a “Parade of the Bands”.

We then headed East to join the St David’s Islanders and Native Community’s Bermuda Pow Wow. Sunday found us in the front pew in Allen Temple Church.

Monday, in an effort to see what was happening in the Long Distance Comet Race, we perched high above the impressive condominiums overlooking the scenic St George’s Harbour. Stevie Dickinson, racing for the 20th time, succeeded in keeping his 18th straight championship record absolutely intact.

En route to Albuoy’s Point we tripped through Hamilton where, lo and behold, we were attracted by 20 or more taxicabs lined up in the City Hall driveway discharging their attractively dressed passengers. The one we instantly recognised was radio personality Lady T.

We soon discovered we were on the scene of what had to be the country’s most stupendous wedding party. The bride was none other than Lady T’s sister, Nadine Browne-Evans. Both women are daughters of Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Bermuda’s first National Hero. They chose the City Hall gardens for their photoshoot. They needed the setting to accommodate the bride’s 20 bridesmaids and the equal number of groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer. The couple exchanged their vows at the altar of the First Church of God, North Shore, Pembroke. Bishop Vernon L Lambe officiated. The groom, Alafia Henry, is a seafarer. The church, with a seating capacity of 1,200, was packed full.

The wedding was planned as a salute to Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Bishop Lambe offered a homily to her being Bermuda’s first National Hero.

All things considered, the Pow Wow was mentally foremost. The welcome address by Terlena Murphy, vice chairman of the St David’s Island and Native Community, on behalf of chairman Nives Filice, set the stage.

The two-day event was, as promised, a warm healing ceremony, literally and figuratively. It was a loving family reunion of native friends and family, all of whom used the opportunity to educate, participate and commiserate with each other.

Special honoured guests included 92-year-old Chief Vernon “Silent Drum” Lopez of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe; Antione Lugo, St David’s male lead dancer and son of founding committee member Christina Millett; and the current Mashpee Wampanoag Princess, Sassamin Weeden. She is also the granddaughter of our family friend Tall Oak and the daughter of Annawon Weeden, a missed face at this year’s Pow Wow.

Ms Murphy extended a warm welcome to the host drummers, Wake-be-lake, and to the Storm Boyz Singers, invited to come to Bermuda by the Warwick Gombeys. The latter, after being lauded by their leader’s powerful description of the Bermuda Gombey tradition, put on one of their most spectacular displays, depicting the battle of David and Goliath.