A cherished holiday tradition, the MarketPlace Christmas Parade, will set out this Sunday through the streets of Hamilton.

The parade, nearing its 40th year, will be dedicated to the memory of the late Vernon Hassell, the vice-president of MarketPlace, who died in September.

A statement said: “Vernon served our company and the people of Bermuda for 25 years with loyalty and care.

“We honour his contribution and celebrate his memory with the community he proudly supported.”

Seth Stutzman, the president of The MarketPlace Group, said the Christmas Parade was “our way of thanking our customers for their loyalty and support throughout the year”.

“It is an important community event that brings families together and signals the beginning of Christmas in Bermuda,” he noted.

“We are pleased to dedicate this year’s parade to Vernon’s memory.”

The parade will include performances from the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, Gombey troupes, dance and majorette groups and a variety of community organisations such as the Bermuda Police Service and Bermuda Fire Service.

The sponsor will showcase its character floats and live performers, and Santa Claus will make his traditional appearance to close the parade.

It will be followed by a “Night Sky Celebration” — a co-ordinated drone and fireworks display over Hamilton Harbour.

Parade night dinner packages will be available for pre-order until Saturday evening, with collection on Sunday from the Hamilton MarketPlace or Supermart on Front Street.

The parade, which begins at 5pm and concludes at about 7pm, will set out from the Par-la-Ville parking lot and head onto Church Street, followed by Court Street and Front Street, where it will finish at the Birdcage.