Reefs, shipwrecks and lighthouses were among the island icons featured in the Heritage Month Mini-Float Challenge.

Yesterday, the Department of Culture announced the winners of the first event of its kind in Bermuda.

There were more than 50 entries for the competition, which organisers said exceeded their expectations.

This year's judges were Heather Whalen, a former director of the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, Tona Symonds, a former Bermuda Arts Council chairwoman, and Jennifer Phillips, the Bermuda Arts Council chairwoman.

The Heritage Month Mini-Float Challenge main category winners were:

Natural Heritage Float Category

1st: Department of Culture/Dr Edwin Smith (Martello tower)

2nd: Department of Culture/Dr Edwin Smith (Earl Cameron)

3rd: Amaris Munya (Warwick Academy)

Upcycled Float Category

1st: Warwick Academy Y8 (Marleigh Howes, Chloé Samuels and Billie Rose Kempe and Reya de Moura)

2nd: Betty Azario (Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute – Cruise Ship)

3rd: Chez Robinson and family

Art Float Category

1st – 5W Saltus Grammar School (Sea Venture)

2nd – 4R Saltus Grammar School (Lighthouse)

3rd – Warwick Academy – Avalon Packer and other members of Y8CL (Bermuda scene)

Special Awards (Open to all Judged Categories)

Premier’s Award for Best Float – Department of Culture/Dr Edwin Smith (Martello tower)

Reggie Ming Award for Most Beautiful Float – Nicky Gurret (Arching Arms)

Minister’s Award for Most Original Float - Registry General

Ruth Thomas Award for Best Heritage Float – Department of Culture/Dr Edwin Smith (Earl Cameron)

Dr Kenneth E Robinson Award for Best Primary School Float – PS Class 5, Dalton E Tucker Primary School (Lighthouse)

Dr J Williams Award for Best Middle School Float – Clearwater Middle School

Dr Marjorie Bean Award for Best High School Float – McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett (Warwick Academy Remote Learning Bear)

Mrs JJ Outerbridge Award for Best Individual Float – Hannah Emmerson/Bermuda Sandcastle Competition (Every Tempest Creates a Clean Canvas)

LCCA Award for Best Charity Float – Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation

Best Government Department – Registry General

Best School Class Float – 3D Saltus Grammar School (Parrot Fish/Coral Reef)

Special Mention – Y8A00 Warwick Academy – Gombey Hat, Y4M Saltus Grammar School (Architecture).

All the entries can be seen at https://padlet.com/bermudaculture/floats.