Colourful kites of all shapes and sizes adorned the skies as thousands of people celebrated Good Friday at Horseshoe Bay.

Sunny skies and light breezes ensured numbers were up compared to previous years, where rain and chilly temperatures dominated the day.

Dragons, sharks, tropical fish, birds of prey and butterflies were among the creations taking to the South Shore skies, while a handful of traditional Bermudian homemade efforts, constructed from tissue paper and wood, were also on show.

Gombeys, singers and bands provided additional entertainment as the annual festivities lasted for most of the day, with more than 2,000 people joining in the fun.

Kathleen Capone, an American tourist from New York, is visiting the Island for the first time and came to the festivities after researching it on a Bermuda website.

"The day was fantastic and the entertainment was excellent. The weather is beautiful and the water is beautiful and we are really enjoying our selves."

Kenyan guest workers Joel Mwaura and Peter Mburu said: "So far, it has been a good day. It is beautiful beach weather, great people and the music is pretty good."

Some veteran Horseshoe Bay Good Friday attendees said although they enjoy the entertainment, they wish they would mix it up a bit, as it is the same every year.

"The entertainment caters to everybody, all races and genres, and that's good but I would like to hear a little more soca and calypso," said Mike Davis.

Sandys resident Linell Williams said: "I enjoy coming here with my sons, one is swimming and the other is flying kites but I saw the same thing last year (on stage) they need to mix it up."

Darren Lee of Smith's echoed Ms. Williams' account: "The entertainment was the same as last year, we want to hear something else but the day was beautiful."

Mr. Lee also offered suggestions for following years: "Maybe it would be better if there were a little more refreshment kiosks along the beach and Port-o-Potty's along the beach as people have a long way to walk to the toilet. But overall it was a good day very packed."

Deborah Pharoah of St. George's enjoyed every aspect of the day. "It couldn't be better weather, the music and the entertainment was awesome. I particularly enjoyed Lady Tyson. Her performance was fantastic. She has such stage presence and knows how to engage the audience."

The event was organised by Young United, the youth wing of the United Bermuda Party.

Elsewhere there was fun and drama at the Mohawk Grand Prix for go-carts in St. David's with a number of entrants crashing out of the downhill race.