Carnival season officially got under way during Harbour Nights last night when the weekly Front Street party was given a soca soundtrack.

The event, Family Fete, was the first of more than a dozen outdoor parties that will be held over the next week, culminating in a carnival parade through Hamilton next Monday — National Heroes Day.

An unexpected downpour shortly before celebrations began on Front Street threatened to dampen the spirits of revellers but clouds gave way to clear skies before the curtain came up on an evening of thumping, upbeat music and bright colour.

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Carnival in Bermuda, the group that has organised the week of celebrations, invited singers and songwriters to write a soca composition and three entrants were invited to perform their work in front of cheering crowds last night.

Entrants to a Kiddie Costume competition designed and made carnival outfits reflecting what carnival meant to them.

Katherine-Lee Burchell, the project manager for Carnival in Bermuda said: “We’re hosting Harbour Nights tonight, so this is a Carnival in Bermuda takeover.

“We’ve called tonight Family Fete because this is an all inclusive carnival event — the kids, the teens, the adults — everyone’s accommodated, as they always are on Harbour Nights, but this is soca-themed.

“It’s going to be a very busy weekend with something for everyone. If you want to go to a fancy event or a more low-key one ... there are events of all price ranges so no one should be excluded.

“It’s just something for the island to get involved in and enjoy. It does tie in Bermuda’s history and culture to the Caribbean islands, so it’s really connecting us to our roots.

“I’d just like to thank everyone for their support. We did have an interruption with Covid but we are back and we keep growing stronger each year, so continue to support us so we can continue to have these events in Bermuda.

“Also, it invites tourists to the island right? So let’s continue to have these events and these options for tourists to enjoy.