Celebrating the tenth anniversary in 2002, organisers of the annual Harbour Nights will be praying for blue skies this evening when the first night of the season gets underway on Front Street at 7 p.m.

“We are delighted to still be going with the support of the vendors, entertainers, the Corporation of Hamilton, as well as sponsors, the Bank of Bermuda, the Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs,” said Chamber of Commerce executive Vice President Diane Gordon yesterday, “It would not happen without them.”

Ms Gordon said it takes a tremendous amount of work to put the weekly event together which is enjoyed by both locals and visitors and said the Chamber was thrilled with this year's line up thanks in no small part to the new Harbour Nights coordinator Danilee Trott.

In her first year as coordinator - although she has been involved with Harbour Nights for several years - Ms Trott has organised a live music act for every single week including popular acts such as Presitge, Jahstice, Tempo and Xtacy as well as the traditional Beat Retreat on four separate nights.

Approximately 82 vendors have signed up to sell their wares this year, including artists, jewellers, cedar carvers, potters, face painters and more.

Entertainment will be coordinated by Spanishtown and there will be horse and carriage rides, children's activities and Front Street shops will remain open until 9 p.m.

Gombeys will make an appearance every Wednesday night as well as fashion shows on May 15 and July 17.

Other special events include the Cultural Affairs night on May 22 when the African Diaspora Trail will be showcased and a repeat of the July 4 celebration, this year on Wednesday July 3 with the Stars and Stripes night.

New for this year is the relocation of a bigger food court to the parking lot by the D'Mikado restaurant which will include Bermudian and ethnic foods, as well as an expanded childrens court taking up the car park by number one shed, made safer this year thanks to a perimeter fence all the way around.

Helping ensure this year's event is successful is the importance of partnerships, and Ms Gordon said Harbour Nights was an extension of the Buy Bermuda campaign launched at the end of last year and now moving into its second phase.

Partnerships with sponsors, vendors, Front Street stores, the Corporation of Hamilton, the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Weather Service should all make for a great nights this year says Ms Trott who encouraged everyone to come out to enjoy Bermuda's free, fun-filled street festival for the whole family.