THE 2006 Annual Exhibition at the Botanical Gardens proved to be an all-round, record-breaking success, attendance-wise, with the number of entries and overall support of the public.

In excess of 23,000 visited the three-day show, despite being affected by rain midway through the first day.

It was the 68th since the event ? formerly known as the 'Ag Show' ? was inaugurated in the grounds of Government House during the first quarter of the 20th century, and has been held with regularity since, excepting for war years, devastation in the wake of Hurricane Fabian four years ago, and another year because of industrial strike action.

Director of Parks Lisa Dawn Johnston felt the show was an unmitigated success. She personally was excited and very pleased, as it was her first, since she took over as Director in June last year, although during her 15 years in the Department, she had been involved in the show at other levels.

Ms Johnston was quick to give full credit for the show's success to "her crew", many of whom, like herself, were pressed into service for the very first time.

And, of course, she was unsparing in crediting Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield and her staff at the Ministry.

The Department has more than 140 industrial workers and over 20 administrative and office staff who were pulled in from all quarters. They worked all along the line, enthusiastically manning the gates, facilitating parking, serving as stewards and at various points in the park to ensure none of the gardens was damaged by the public.

There were also a high number of volunteers. In previous years it was the Botanical Gardens staff who prepared the grounds and did the work on the show days.

One significant feature this year was the presence of a delegation of 37 Government officials and observers from islands in the Caribbean. Among them was Keith Tibbetts, Leader of Government Business in the Cayman Islands. His portfolio includes responsibility for District Administration, Planning, Agriculture and Housing.

The Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, Wayne Carey, said Minister Butterfield had been making concerted efforts to ensure there was an exchange of information between Bermuda and our Caribbean counterparts.

She and staff from the Department of Parks had visited different agricultural shows and exhibitions, gleaning ideas that have enabled Bermuda to both save money and run a more efficient show.

This year they went to Barbados, for its Agricultural Show, to the Caymans and other Islands. Last year they visited the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Jamaica, and elsewhere.

Mr. Carey said the experiences gained were rewarding and incorporated in this year's exhibition. For instance, he added, the 'garden in the box theme' the school children were asked to employ came from the Trinidad and Tobago Ag Show.

In addition to the exchange of information and forging of links, there was the aspect of personal and professional friendships, each learning from the other.

Regarding feedback from the visitors to this year's exhibition, Mr. Carey said they were in awe.

"They were enthusiastic about what they saw. They marvelled at how Bermuda had been able to involve so many school children. Some remarked they often have difficulty trying to get the youth to participate in these kinds of shows.

"Some of the things that impressed the visitors from the Caribbean were what we are doing trying to marry several different themes together, such as the theme of agriculture and cultural heritage in general and also the theme of having the youth co-ordinate some of the events; the attendance, participation and organisation of the exhibition, with the grounds.

"Many were intrigued with the gospel show at the end of the third and final day. The visitors all attended and were spellbound, because of the energy, the youth participation and by the fact that the Minister for the first time, had seen fit to include the gospel show that alone attracted more than 600, as another facet of culture in Bermuda."