Bermuda Day may lack a parade, but the Department of Community and Culture still hope for the public to build traditional floats.

The Department, in collaboration with the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, will this year host a Mini-Float Challenge and have urged charities, schools, families and companies to take part.

Rowe Spurling Paint Company, BGA Wholesale Distributors and Butterfield and Vallis have all offered free wood pallets for competitors, who are tasked with building a float that celebrates the theme of “Bermudian Resilience”.

Tinee Furbert, the Acting Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport said that while the annual Bermuda Day Parade will not go ahead because of Covid-19, the float competition was something that could bring together the community.

Ms Furbert said: “The floats in the Bermuda Day Parade are one of the main highlights of the event.

“They are wonderful, creative displays that reflect the spirit, heritage and traditions of our island.

“So, we’re encouraging people to create something amazing by using inexpensive or free materials, natural materials or just things that they already have around their house.”

Fiona Rodriquez-Roberts, founder and director of Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, added: “We have been providing programmes for families to create together at home during these times and we are delighted to partner with the Department of Culture in helping families to participate with the Mini-Float challenge to celebrate Bermuda Day.

“We are excited to share our ideas and skills on how anyone can participate in this challenge using easily found materials.”

Those interested in participating in the contest can sign up online at http://bit.ly/mini-float for free.

Submissions must be complete by May 24, and participants should send in their mini-float photographs and entry forms to bermudaculture@gmail.com.

The pictures will be shared on Bermuda Day, May 28.