Bermuda Heroes Weekend kicked off with a splash of soca last night at the Five Star Friday concert at the National Sports Centre. The party at the North Field ran from 6pm until midnight, with revellers letting their hair down as they opened the three-day weekend.

Festivities are set to pick up again today with the Bermuda Heroes Weekend Carnival Parade of Bands at Southside, and the Bermuda Government has warned that Clearwater Beach, Turtle Beach and the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve will all be closed to the public during the event.

The Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Parks said those areas would be closed between 8am and 8pm, reopening tomorrow.

Southside Road from the junction at St David’s Road and Southside Road (at the old No 2 gate location) to the junction at Cooper’s Island Road and Pepper Hall Road will be closed to traffic from 1.30pm until 6pm today.

Meanwhile, due to forecasts of wet weather tomorrow, the Government has announced that the National Hero Induction and Proclamation Ceremony will take place at the Anglican Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton.

The event, during which former premier Sir John Swan will officially be proclaimed a national hero, had been scheduled to take place at Camden. The ceremony is due to begin at 4pm, followed by a reception at the Cathedral Hall.

• For more information on festivities, see www.bermudaheroesweekend.com