It was a smiling, happy celebration of Bermuda's culture and heritage that left the feet sore from dancing and the ears ringing from the music.

Bermuda Day came and went yesterday amid sunshine and fun for the old and the young.

Premier Pamela Gordon launched the proceedings at Bernard Park, looking back at the past and forward to the future.

She spoke after the After School Care Choir, made up of children aged five, six and seven, sang a song called `Carry On Bermuda'.

She said: "I feel very proud to be here and we need to give those young people a round of applause for singing `Carry on Bermuda'.

"The message they send is indicative of what we are here to celebrate. We celebrate Bermuda's rich heritage and the people who have made this Country great.'' However she added: "We have many, many young people committed to being involved in the future of this Island.

"When I see these young people here, committed to believing in doing something constructive for their community it makes me realise we have a great future ahead of us.'' Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith added: "I want to say to the youth leaders: it is you who are keeping our traditions, you who are passing on the values and traditions that have made this Country great.

"Our young people look beautiful and wonderful, but I am concerned that some of you might fall off the path -- but stay on that path and continue to make this Country great.'' After the Marathon Derby and cycle race had finished, the marching bands had marched into Bernard Park and the speeches and songs were done, the parade set off.

Huge crowds enjoy `biggest ever' parade It was the largest-ever Bermuda Day parade -- and it attracted huge crowds.

Thousands of people lined Hamilton's streets, sitting or standing three or four deep to watch as the procession wound past.

They sat on the sidewalks, the walls of the Cathedral, the steps of the Post Office, anywhere that gave them a view of the parade.

On Front Street the sidewalks were jammed with spectators, the balconies were overflowing and the passengers watched from the decks of the Zenith .

People brought umbrellas, food hampers, seats and drinks as they set out to get comfortable for a long, fun-filled day.

The ears buzzed to a mix of sounds as the notes of soca followed hard on the heels of the notes of the marching bands.

It was a cacophony of noise and a montage of colours that captivated everyone.

The Bermuda Regiment Band led the parade from Par-La-Ville and as they entered Front Street, the Zenith blew three times on its horn.

Fifty-one groups -- ranging from floats to marching bands and majorettes to gombeys - took part, taking more than two hours to wind their way along the route to Bernard Park.

It represented Bermuda's diverse culture -- with Bermudians, the Indian community, the Filipino community, the Portuguese community and the African Dance Company all on show.

There were classic cars -- one with Transport Minister Wayne Furbert as a passenger, horses and cowboys, customised bikes and cars and floats based on this year's theme of tourism appreciation.

There were also the special guests including the Frederick Douglass High School Marching Band and Drill Team, from Atlanta, which had the crowds howling their approval of the routines.

And there was one float paying tribute to an institution that will cease to exist later this year.

Northlands Secondary School will cease as a high school next month and in order to celebrate and commemorate its achievements parents, teachers and students made a school float.

One spectator Claudette Douglas said: "It's been great fun. It was better than last year.'' Another watcher Norman Dillas said: "I didn't come last year and this was excellent fun. It was far more than I expected. The band from Atlanta were my favourites.'' The Cultural Affairs Trophy went to the Department of Tourism's `Let Yourself Go to Bermuda' float, the Flora and Fauna Award went to the `Gosling's Black Seal' float, Best School award went to Northlands Secondary School's `Swan Song' float and Most Original Award was won by the Works and Engineering float `Leading the Way to a Better Future'.

The United Bermuda Party float `Bermuda Making a Splash' won the Judges' Award, Most Beautiful Award went to `Let Yourself Go with Shell' by the Shell Companies of Bermuda, Best in Parade was won by L. Smith for `One Day Bermudas' and Best Parish Award went to Warwick Parish Council for `Bermuda Is Another World'.