Match holiday.

And the number of campers will almost certainly exceed that of last year with the Parks department throwing open new sites on a first-come, first-served basis.

Of the sites which need to be pre-booked, Lagoon Park in Dockyard was the only Government park with any space remaining, parks officer Mr. Craig Burt reported yesterday.

Ferry Point Park in St. George's, Chaplin Bay in Warwick, and Coney Island Park in St. George's are already booked to capacity.

Last year all Government sites were full with 105 tents and 110 tarpaulins at Shelly Bay alone, said Mr. Burt.

This year's "relaxed Cup Match policy'', however, will see Shelly Bay, Admiralty House Park and Church Bay opening up on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last night park rangers were preparing for the invasion of campers, and will be on duty until Sunday night, handing out trash bags and keeping the peace.

Gates will be closed to cars tonight.

Mr. Burt asked that camping regulations be followed, stressing: Camping grounds be kept clean; Fires burned on a metal surface or in proper barbecues; Generators not allowed; Music be played at a tolerable level and; Trees left undamaged.

Government sites carry a fee of three dollars per night per tent, while the public parks and beaches are free of charge.