Locals who have an affinity for the days gone by were treated to a blast from the past, as the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute theme for its annual Pre-Heritage Day Parade was 'Take Me Back To The Good Old Days'.

The staff comprised of Carol DeShields, Rosette Jackson, Heidi Murray, Donovan Williams, Maria Burgess, Raynell Richards, Carolyn Hayward and Dee Lacey spared no ingenuity in giving an accurate representation of this year's theme. The staff of New Dimensions constructed all of the floats.

Some 30 clients from the Institute's Learning Disability Programme, as well as clients from community homes, took part in the parade, dressing up in costumes from the 1940s.

The evening's festivity was kicked off by the Island Pipe Band, which has become a cornerstone of the annual event. The combined efforts of Coral House, Sandpiper and Georges gave an excellent representation on 'How We Worship'.

This was a horse-and-buggy float with the parishioners decked out in their Sunday finery. The clients and the staff stayed in character as their float circled the field giving those present plenty of photo opportunities. One chap in the audience quipped: "With the fuel prices spiralling out of control, we may have to revert to that mode of transport!"

The first majorette troupe to kick off the high-energy segment of the parade were the Hamilton Parish Hot Peppers Majorettes, who are always entertaining and constantly pushing the envelope with their routines.

The next float was a replica of a bungalow, which was a popular hideaway for kids and it was not uncommon to see clothes neatly hung outside of the bungalow.

The Outhouse Float drew one of the biggest rounds of applause, as the Outhouse, sans the half moon on the door, was complete with the giant bugs and a roll of toilet paper strategically placed outside of the door!

When the next majorettes took to the field, no introduction was necessary ¿ the Pembroke Hamilton Club Majorettes (PHC) showed off some fancy moves, thanks to the efforts of director Tawana Lee and drum choreographer Raymond Johnson.

It was evident the months of hard work paid dividends as the 160 members of the troupe boasted one of the youngest members, Zakiyah Lee, who at six, has almost four years of drumming experience under his belt.

Not to be outdone were the Warwick United Majorettes, who cranked things up with their trademark intense performance. The 'Disco Scene' was an offering from the Mount Hill Community Home complete with participants dressed in the fashion, when hitting the club hopping was in vogue.

The 'Door-to-Door' float, another Institute creation, gave the younger attendees a taste of what it was like when deliveries were made to one's door, from the milkman to the insurance salesman.

Town Hill and Boaz Island homes pulled out all the stops with their replica of the Village Float School which lent credence to the cliché 'It takes a village to raise a child'.

Older people easily recognised the next float from Lightbourne Drive Community Home's 'Five Shillings on a Horse', when one wagered on his or her favourite filly.

Another regular participant in the Pre-Heritage Day parade was the Maumbli Akoma Dance Company whose percussive, high-intensity African Dance performance was worth the wait and has always been a treat to watch.

The next majorette troupe hailed from the central parish as the PCC Majorette troupe strutted their stuff and this year's line-up featured leaner, younger troupes who are primed for the big day on Monday.

The Douglas Close contingent gave both young and old an impromptu history lesson with their replica of one of the island's forts (Fort Watchman) accompanied by a pair of stern-looking 'Watchmen'. Once again, the staff spared no detail to highlight authenticity and showed the smoking business end of the cannons.

Perhaps it was a case of pure coincidence as the next float made its grand entrance as the daylight was quickly fading as the staff and clients from the Boaz Island Home prepared a car float complete with a staff member decked out in her finery.

Entitled 'Hideaway Spots', the event's mistress of ceremonies told of many of the island's rendezvous spots for amorous couples.

No Pre-Heritage Day parade would be complete without a performance from H&H Gombeys. For the past 17 years this troupe have become the flagship of community participants who have tirelessly lent their support in making the Institute's parade a success in its own right.

The event, which has drawn large crowds in the past, was originally created to provide an alternative for Institute clients who were not able to attend the Bermuda Day festivities.