After more than a decade, Harbour Nights is still going strong and every Wednesday evening visitors and locals alike take to Front Street to enjoy Bermuda's hospitality and entertainment.

Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president Diane Gordon said that since its inception 12 years ago, the event has continued to find creative ways to stimulate business and to support tourism development for Bermuda.

"Harbour Nights was launched in the summer of 1993 and, as the single largest special event ever hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, it was the highlight of the year's efforts," she said.

"The programme, a season-long, outdoor street festival features live entertainment, late night shopping and dining. Bermuda Harbour Nights opened the concept of late night shopping in Hamilton and encouraged the local community to shop after normal hours."

Ms Gordon said Harbour Nights has grown considerably over the years confirming the popularity of the event and the need to make Bermuda a more exciting destination for visitors.

"It is the single largest event that is held, in Hamilton, over a 25 week period that draws thousands of residents and visitors into the city," she said.

"Responding to change and demands will be a high priority for planning Harbour Nights in 2006."

Ms Gordon added that the financing of Harbour Nights is costly and corporate sponsorship is vital to the on-going success of the event. The Chamber of Commerce acts as the host of the event and co-ordinates all activities in the form of entertainment through Spanish Town Entertainment and with the vendors through the efforts of Gina James who, at one time, was a weekly vendor supporter and is now acting as vendor liaison for the Chamber of Commerce.

"In house, the core responsibility of Harbour Nights lies with the marketing and events co-ordinator, Michelle Kromer who receives support from the remainder of staff members at the Chamber.

"This event as well as others consumes a tremendous amount of time and energy for Ms Kromer and can be complicated by outside influences such as Bermuda's weather conditions."

Entertainment varies from week to week. Last night the entertainment was Innocence, as the main attraction, and Place's Gombeys.