parade through Hamilton a wintry affair, yesterday evening.

But the show went on with more than 500 colourful participants and many more spectators braving the elements.

Friday night's St. George's Parade was postponed because of a storm and organisers from the Hamilton Junior Chamber were considering putting off the Hamilton event.

Last year's event was stopped in a torrential downpour and thunder and lightning. The later rain date was also cancelled.

So Santa Claus was hoping to make up for last year's no show by making sure he turned up last night.

Junior Chamber organiser Mr. Alex MacDonald said: "We met with the groups involved and they said they wanted the parade to go ahead even if it rained.

"They had come to the conclusion that they did not want to cancel because they had spent days preparing for this.

"We were happy to go ahead as long as we were sure that everything was all right from a safety point of view.'' But Mr. MacDonald added that the Junior Chamber had decided to speed things up a little, giving the majorettes instructions to shorten performances in front of sections of the crowd.

It meant each group involved finished the route in just over half an hour.

Spectators on Burnaby Street could see the first part of the parade as it moved along Reid Street and the tail-enders as they passed the Flagpole on Front Street.

The participants did not avoid the bad weather and were hit by a downpour around 4.30 p.m. Spectators rushed for cover in shop doorways and the Bank of Butterfield. The temporary wooden structure for the new bank building served as a perfect sheltered viewpoint for many families.

Throughout the parade they struggled against the high winds gusting in from the harbour. One unlucky group was soaked when a wave hit the dockside and the wind carried it further than usual.

Musical entertainment at the Flagpole was also cut short because of the rain.

Mr. Eugene Joell, of the band "Piece of the Rock,'' said: "We were asked to play a couple more songs but we stopped because it became dangerous as we use electrical equipment.

"It might have been better if they had a back cover to the shelter at the Flagpole which would stop a lot of the rain getting in.'' Earlier Piece of the Rock, the St. George's Youth Group and the Bermuda Institute School Band had entertained the crowds before the parade arrived.

The parade was a bright and colourful affair with none of the participants seeming too concerned about the weather.

Santa parade It began with a number of floats telling the Christmas story from the Non Denominational Fellowship group. They were followed by the Pembroke Community Club Majorettes dressed in Christmas red and white. Other dance groups in dazzling costumes included the Warwick United Majorettes, the Hot Peppers Majorettes, the St. George's Dancerettes and the City Majorettes.

Other participants included the Barrett's fire engine and the Portuguese Cultural Association, as well as Santa Claus surrounded by MarketPlace staff to prevent children running towards the truck, a problem in the past.

M.C. Ms Fran Hill kept the crowd informed. She said: "Spirits were pretty high. I expected a lot of people to leave when the rain came at 4.30 p.m. but it seemed that more people turned up.'' After stressing that the whole event would not have been possible without the backing of the MarketPlace, Mr. MacDonald added: "I thought we were going to have to postpone today but we went ahead. Just look at all the children's faces and you realise it is worth it.'' Weather forecasters at the United Stated Naval Oceanography Command Facility estimated the winds at an average of 26 knots with gusts up to 45 knots.

BRAVE SANTA -- Santa Claus dodged some heavy weather to delight of hundreds of children during the annual parade in Hamilton yesterday.