The Bermuda Day parade is today the second largest holiday and community event after Cup Match, as well as a popular addition to the marathon derby. It brings the community together in a celebration of the diversity of our heritage, and was created out of a period of great social unrest and racial tensions.

Following the 1977 riots and uprisings over the hanging of two young men who were found guilty of their crimes, a Commission of Inquiry headed by Lord Pitt recommended, among other things, that Government?s Ministry of Community Affairs should become involved in efforts to improve community relations. It was suggested that Government take advantage of the long-established marathon derby on May 24 and make it a grand day of celebration, which has become the popular Bermuda Day.

At the time of Lord Pitt?s report the marathon derby was the Island?s most integrated event, in which hundreds, from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, participated. Lord Pitt saw this as the beginning of furthering community relations, and envisaged the marathon as a morning event with a parade in the afternoon, with both finishing at the same venue.

Thus it was that on May 24, 1979 the first Bermuda Day parade took place. It was distinctly multi-cultural. The Vasco Da Gama Club led the parade with a floral float; Choy Aming?s Trinidad-style carnival entry consisted of 150 men, women and children wearing costumes portraying Bermuda?s underwater marvels. Dickie Greene paraded 150 women, led by a festival queen, all wearing carnival costumes depicting Bermuda?s palm trees and flowers. The gombey entry, organised by John (Pickles) Spence, consisted of more than 35 dancers.

Today, the parade is an important component of modern Bermudian history.

This year the Bermuda Scottish Pipe Band will be participating for the first time.