The Taste of Bermuda drive-in food festival generated $40,000 for the hard-hit hospitality sector, it was revealed today.

The City of Hamilton asked people to submit receipts for at least $25 from any city restaurant for entry to the three-day event and totted them up at the end.

Allison Tucker, the senior events and marketing coordinator at the City of Hamilton, said: “We were absolutely blown away by the total.

“The injection of funds into these city businesses that have been suffering since Covid-19 hit us is the economic stimulus we were looking for, but the total amount has just floored us.”

Ms Tucker added: “We saw 65 eateries in Hamilton patronised in the lead up to Taste, as evidenced by the receipts.

“The reach was far, from Front Street to North Street, everyone got a piece of the bigger pie.”

She said: “This model for an event has proven to be an incredibly effective way to partner not only with the businesses and our sponsors but also with the public as we navigate through the pandemic and stimulate our economy.

“We all have to do our part.”

The event was held between October 9 and 11.

Almost 2,500 people passed through the Par-la-Ville car park venue in Hamilton and more than 16,000 social media impressions were recorded.

A total of 18 gallons of fish chowder was served, 6.5 gallons of hand sanitiser and about 60 people helped organise and manage the Covid-19 safe event.

A spokeswoman said the City would hold another drive-in event on a weekend in the run up to Christmas.

She added updates will be posted on the City of Hamilton Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CityofHamiltonBda