Bermuda kicked off the new century with a bang on Saturday with Millenniafest, a huge open air celebration in the city streets of Hamilton.

Thousands of people crowded Front, Queen, Reid, Burnaby, and Church Streets and City Hall parking lot and enjoyed music from four stages, arts and crafts, books, and food in the wrap up to the holiday season.

Hordes of children took advantage of fun castles, face painting and assorted playground equipment to their hearts content while their parents grooved to the Salute to the Stars of the Century Concert.

Local musicians performed the hits of Billie Holiday, Barbara Striesand, and James Brown on a huge stage in the City Hall parking lot.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister, caught in the crowd enjoying food purchased from a busy stand, said: "This is just great. This is a chance for Bermudians to come together and celebrate.'' He added: "I appreciate this because we sometimes have a tendency to split into two. I hope we can keep this up, Bermuda will be in good shape.'' Mr. Lister thanked organisers, particularly the Corporation of Hamilton and coordinator Geneva Humdy-Woodley, and all of the performers.

"And you know,'' he added, "if anyone thought entrepreneurship was dead in Bermuda they can come down here and see it right in the streets.'' Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons, spied taking a break on the front steps of his family business said the Millennium Block Party was "absolutely wonderful''.

"My whole family has been having a great time,'' Dr. Gibbons said. "This is a great turnout. The block party really has a great family atmosphere.'' Maureen and Doug Lee, visiting from Boston with their children Meghan and Peter, loved the weekend's festivities which they said were emphasised Bermuda's friendliness.

"This is not our first time here and we love it,'' Mr. Lee said. "This is our first time down for New Year's though. It's too bad this wasn't promoted more in the US. Bermuda is so friendly, more people should take advantage of it.'' Accompanying the Lees was Jonathan Tilley, the son of a British Army officer serving in the Bermuda Regiment.

Jonathan, 10, a student at Port Royal School, said he enjoyed the traditional Gombeys, particularly the costumes and drumming.

Feast of family fun in Hamilton "I also liked to see the arts and crafts that people make and sell,'' he added.

Once the first moon rise of the new Millennium had begun, streetlights on Front Street were doused for a special Sparkling Moonlight Parade, featuring marching bands and Gombeys.

Father and son team of John and Jack Dorer of New York City sang with "The Ten'' a choral group of members of the University Glee Club on the International Queen stage on Queen Street.

Jack Dorer, a financial analyst, said of the Millenniafest: "This is just wonderful. My two kids are running around here somewhere having a great time.

We've been to Bermuda five or six times and we love it.'' Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt later said of the event: "It was a huge success and I think what has been very encouraging is that we had a tremendous atmosphere all day and, according to the Police, absolutely no problems.'' He added: "There was a terrific spirit there and it was a once in a lifetime event. We're very gratful for everyone who participated as they did a superb job.'' Strollin': The Bermuda Strollers wowed the crowd on Saturday's Millenniafest with a rocking performance on Queen Street. From left are Keith Seymour on steel pan drums, John Burch on electric guitar, and Ted Ming on acoustic guitar.

Big draw: Jennifer Simmons and her four-year-old daughter Kerri have fun drawing in Front Street TELEVISION TV