thousands who flocked to the American Bermudian Friendship Festival over the weekend.

Two years ago the second day of the festival had to be cancelled during a storm but the crowds were greeted with bright sunshine and a spectacular show on Saturday and Sunday.

Delighted visitors to the US Naval Air Station were treated to demonstrations of flying, parachuting and large quantities of food and drink.

There were also stalls with local crafts, a bouncy castle for children and a chance to dunk pupils from Chaffee High School in a large tub of water.

Navy Public Affairs Officer, Ens. Marie McGahan said: "We had a lot of people on Saturday but there were more on Sunday. Apart from some rain on Saturday morning the weather was excellent. It has been great.'' Early arrivals at the show were given a fine display by members of the Bermudian Radio Control Flying Club, who must have interested other people in their hobby.

Announcers Mr. Frank Kingston Smith and Mrs. Linda Zavara prepared the crowd for the treats in store as the Miller Lite Sky Diving Team were already on their way down to earth.

Mr. Smith allowed veteran television news anchorman, Mr. Arch Deal, to take over on the microphone as he plummeted to earth as part of the "Six Pack in the Sky.'' Mr. Deal gives running commentary of the teams 30 m.p.h. descents through a state-of-the-art wireless microphone attached to his jump suit. He told the Bermudian crowd: "What a beautiful day and what a wonderful opportunity to drop in on you.'' The team carried a United States and a Bermudian flag as the national anthems heralded their landing on the runway.

The crowds were then thrilled by the mighty B-52 bomber. After it landed things became a lot smaller with the flight of the Freedom Jet.

Mr. Bob Bishop built and pilots the nimble Freedom, the smallest jet in the world. He provided a breath-taking show of airmanship while he indulged in chatter with Mr. Smith.

Team America were next to go with a fine demonstration of formation flying and manoeuvres.

Other displays followed including Captain Midnight's remarkable Silver Star T33, the family trio of the Pietsch Air Shows and the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, the Skyhawks, who made a number of smokey and colourful descents.

A little less spectacular, but as entertaining as anything else, was the dunking booth where young girls waited for someone to hit the target and plunge them into a water tank. They were pupils of Chaffee High School's Youth Against Drugs and Alcohol campaign.

HIGH TIME -- Four-year-old Dena Marie Mallory waves to her family from the cockpit of a US Coast Guard Falcon plane during the American Bermudian Friendship Festival.