It was a classic Bermuda Day moment: a tiny majorette, decked out in turquoise and sparkling silver, stepped back from her fellow baton twirlers on Front Street and proceeded to perform her own un-choreographed moves. The little girl, who looked to be less than four, spun around and strutted her stuff for the crowd to roars of approval and laughter, not far from where Premier Ewart Brown and other VIPs sat watching the proceedings.As she waved to onlookers and trotted cheekily after her troupe, the Dynamic City Rockettes, grinning parade-goers loudly applauded. The child’s impromptu display was just one of thousands of smile-inducing moments which made up this year’s May 24 parade.

From wildly energetic Gombeys and awe-inspiring floats to BMX bikers and gospel singers, there was something to please everyone as the parade slowly snaked its way from Bermudiana Road to Bernard Park, taking in Court Street and North Hamilton for the first time.

Tens of thousands of people lined the sunny streets of the capital to watch the long and vibrantly coloured train of floats and performers, many embracing the 2007 theme of Bermuda’s Maritime Connections. And for such a tiny island, there was an enormous number of people taking part.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief, who enjoyed the festivities with his 11-year-old son Ryan from a platform set up at the Flag Pole, said: “I couldn’t guess the numbers. One float alone had 100 performers. That’s an example of the scale of things. I’d say at least a third of our population comes out to this to watch. I think everybody is having fun today.”

Dr. Brown, sitting with wife Wanda and Governor Sir John Vereker and his wife Lady Vereker, rose from his seat on numerous occasions to congratulate and joke with the community groups and organisations who had clearly spent endless hours perfecting their floats.

“I think it’s been a wonderful day,” he said. “I like the energy in the place and I see an unusually high number of young people. This guarantees the future of the event.

“Today shows Bermudians at their best and also shows Bermudians what they are capable of doing on every other day. I don’t think I have ever seen a Bermuda Day crowd that has been more attentive and appreciative of what they have had to see.”

Sir John, who steps down as Governor in October, said: “There is a lot we’ll miss about Bermuda and this is certainly one of those things. I think today has been great.”

The weather played its part in ensuring a hugely successful parade. Sunny skies and relatively low humidity provided the perfect conditions for locals and visitors alike whose enthusiasm never seemed to diminish from the start of the parade at 1 p.m. to its closing moments hours later.

As usual, local families staked out their territories with eye-catching tents and umbrellas long before the party got started.

Guest worker Karl Shaharudin, 33, from London, likened the spectacle to the Rio Carnival in Brazil. “This is like a mini version of that,” he said. “For me, it’s not a tourist thing, it’s a Bermudian thing. This is for Bermudians; they love it. I’m quite amazed at how many people are out here.”

Bermudian Monique Ming, 30, from Devonshire, said: “I’m having a great time. It’s the time that everybody can enjoy themselves and come as one and have a nice day. You can tell a lot of time and thought has gone into this. All I can say is: ‘excellent’.”

Overseas visitors declared themselves amazed at the variety of performers and the atmosphere in the city. Cruise ship passenger Richard Solan, 71, from New Jersey, said: “It is spectacular. I have never seen anything like this, with so much hard work and talent having got into it. Bring them to America! Everyone has been so nice and outgoing and friendly.”

Orlando Shannon, 31, from Atlanta, said: “This is my first time watching the parade and I love it. You don’t have to just sit and watch, you can actually participate and dance. This is like nothing I have ever been to.”

Namdar Mogharedban, from Illinois, was celebrating his 51st birthday. He said: “I thought it was wonderful. I have learnt quite a bit with regards to the Island’s heritage. The people have been lovely; I have loved almost every Bermudian I have met.”