Thousands of locals gathered in Dockyard to help make the US Consulate's Independence Day celebration its biggest ever.

According to organisers there were close to 7,000 people at this year's celebration at Moresby's Plain in Somerset, making it the biggest July 4 barbeque ever held outside of the United States.

This year's event was also made special by an expensive fireworks show, which lasted for close to 35 minutes, explained US Consul General Gregory Slayton, though he wouldn't specify on the price.

"We don't want to talk about costs, we just want to enjoy ourselves," he said.

The event, entitled 'Give Back to Bermuda', is what Mr. Slayton calls a full corporate venture and was sponsored by ACE, Bacardi, Ren Re, XL along with the Ministry of Tourism, who provided free parking and transportation services for the evening.

Hamilton Town Crier Ed Christopher was the energetic host for the evening and local performers included the Warwick Gombeys, the Bermuda African Dance Company and Full Circle Band.

Also featured was young hip-hop artist Whyze Guy — Mount Saint Agnes student Joshua Preyra-Leader — who won the US Consul's 'Stay off the Stop List' competition.

Astrid Black, the US Consulate's public diplomacy specialist commended the teenager's performance.

"I thought it was excellent, for a non-professional, he did very well," she said.

While some were enjoying the entertainment, others were taking part in activities set up across the field, ranging from fun castles and face painting for the children to a Gaming Tent with fake money for adults.

In total, 62 of Bermuda's charities helped to run the event and The American Society was able to present The Centre on Philanthropy with a cheque for $100,000 for them.

Throughout the evening, guests were also encouraged to visit charity representatives and find a charity to support.

All in all, attendees had a good time at the celebration, including 11-year-old Kalin Williams for whom the event was doubly special as he lives between Bermuda and Atlanta.

"I found it really good, really enjoyable for all the different activities, the food and seeing all the different people that I know," he said, adding: "I came to have fun and celebrate my country."

Meanwhile, Melody Parris was pleased there were so many activities for the kids. She said: "The whole atmosphere is fun. People get to mingle, people I haven't seen for years have come out here.

"I like that they had the transportation, that they made it available for people to come up and access, they didn't have to drive up.

"And although there were a lot of people here you didn't have to stand too long in line and everything was nicely laid out."

Claire MacVickar, from Scotland has been living on the Island for three years, and came to this year's event to help volunteer with her son's Boy Scout group.

"It's the first time we've been and we would definitely come again. It's a nice family event," she said.