NEXT weekend's Christmas Boat Parade could be the biggest ever if just a handful more boats enter over the next five days.

Ian Coles, one of the parade organisers, said this week that the parade, in which brightly lit and imaginatively decorated boats circle Hamilton harbour, had already attracted 63 entries.

"The record is around 70 and it's still not too late to enter," Mr. Coles said. "The deadline is December 8 (next Wednesday).

"We've got some spectacular entries this time, some very big boats and there will be one or two surprises as well."

The event will take place on Saturday, December 11 and is expected to draw a crowd of around 20,000 spectators.

Just a month ago, organisers were fearing for the future of the boat parade, as entries were slow in coming. Last year's parade, in the wake of damage caused to many of the island's boats by Hurricane Fabian, saw just 37 boats take part. That followed two years of decline in 2001 and 2002.

But following appeals to save the parade, the enthusiasm of the boating community appears to have returned.

"There has been a wonderful reaction from private boat owners and we are delighted with the support from the corporate community," Mr. Coles said.

"We hope that the growth in numbers and the momentum behind this year's parade will encourage other boat owners to join in. We welcome all boats, big and small, power or sail."

Judges will choose the most impressive entries in a variety of categories and there will be a separate division for corporate entries.

Some large companies have entered this year, including the Bank of Bermuda, Butterfield & Vallis, Bermuda Air Conditioning, The MarketPlace, Capital G and XL Capital.

The parade will set sail from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel at 6.30 p.m. and the route takes the boats east towards Front Street, in front of the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club and towards Harbour Road, west to Darrell's Wharf and then north, back towards the Princess.

The evening will climax with a fireworks display on White's Island, sponsored by XL Capital.

Hamilton harbour will be closed to all boat traffic other than parade entries after 5.30 p.m.

Mr. Coles suggested the best vantage points for spectators were along the Front Street and Pitts Bay Road waterfront, or Harbour Road, or Cavendish Heights.

l Those still wishing to enter can do so by calling 295-0530 or on-line at www.boatparade.bm by next Wednesday.