revived to bring the unique and appropriate sound of reverberating oil drums to the celebrations at Saturday's Grand Opening of the Esso City Automarket.

They will be joined by other bands, gombey dancers and high-stepping majorettes in a three-hour extravaganza that promises to provide Hamilton with an unusually lively official opening.

According to Mr. Fred Pereech, operating agent of the new automarket, it is hoped that the general public will look upon the opening as a big "block party, where everyone can come and have a good time.'' At 4 p.m., business will be suspended for three hours at the service station while emcee Keevil Burgess opens the party with the group, Sum Byes and the Victor Shambray five-piece band. Contributing vendors will tempt all comers with tastings of cold drinks, ice cream, chips, etc. and there will also be many souvenirs and "favours'' given away by the vendors, including T-shirts, pens, candies, litter bags, Dancing Coke Cans, a two-man "pup'' tent, key rings and Esso Super Oil remote-control cars.

Tony the Tiger will also make a special appearance, along with the Gombeys and the Hamilton Parish Majorettes.

Miss Bermuda, 20-year old Colita Joseph, just returned from the Miss Universe contest in Bangkok, Thailand, will also be on hand to add a touch of pizzazz to the proceedings and to draw the raffle prizes which will include a bicycle and TV/VCR recorder.

The Mayor of Hamilton, the Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont will cut the ribbon and declare the automarket open.

The approximate timetable for the day's events are as follows: 4.00 to 4.20 p.m. -- Emcee Keevil Burgess introduces Sum Byes and Victor Shambray five-piece band.

4.30 to 4.50 p.m. -- Hamilton Parish Majorettes.

4.50 p.m. -- Tony the Tiger.

5.00 to 5.20 p.m. -- Sum Byes with Victor Shambray band.

5.25 to 5.45 p.m. -- The Gombeys.

5.45 to 6.00 p.m. -- The Esso Steel Band.

6.05 to 6.25 p.m. -- Hamilton Parish Majorettes.

6.30 p.m. -- Arrival of Miss Bermuda, VIPs and the Esso Steel Band.

6.40 p.m. -- Official Opening remarks and ribbon cutting.

6.50 p.m. -- Miss Bermuda draws raffle prizes.

7.00 p.m. -- Miss Bermuda, Mr. Keith Hollis and Mr. Fred Pereech raise the flag at the Esso Station, declaring it open.

IN THE BEGINNING... Esso Bermuda (then known as West India Oil) used a team of four mules to pull its tank wagon. This 1922 picture shows a wagon-load of fuel oil leaving the Ferry Reach terminal.