yesterday, as the rainclouds kept away and Bermudians turned out in their thousands.

They perched against trees, leaned against walls or came out with their garden chairs and coolers to line the streets of Hamilton for the traditional procession.

Some stood six deep on the busiest sections and junctions of Front Street for what many were hailing as the biggest Bermuda Day parade ever.

Others crowded onto the balconies of pubs and restaurants to catch a glimpse of the colourful culture promenading before them on the streets below.

And even passengers on the cruise ship Zenith booked their places on each deck, clinging to the railings to peer onto the dockside and watch the glittering array of floats, dancers and drummers who turned Hamilton into a buzzing, thumping carnival city.

Conservative estimates placed the parade turnout at anything up to 10,000, as the heat seared into the mid-70s.

Thousands out to watch Bermuda Day parade All along the parade route, from Par-la-Ville Road and along Church Street and Queen Street, the crowds grew thicker and thicker as the countdown to the 2 p.m. parade drew nearer.

Front Street was alive with fans of the fanfare, who cheered all 41 floats as they passed on their way to the Bernard Park finish.

Some groups simply waved to the crowds, talking through loudspeakers and piping out pop, reggae and soca.

Most were followed by their own dance troups, cleverly choreographed to African, Filipino, Portuguese or Indian rhythms.

Then there were the majorettes and bugle bands with their trumpets and trombones, cornets and clarinets and regimented drum beats.

Yet nothing was as infectious as the rhythm pounded out by the three gombey troupes which rounded off the parade, setting out from Par-La-Ville Road more than 90 minutes after the Driving Horse and Pony Club had led the way.

It took a few minutes for the atmosphere to build. There was a five-minute gap between the waving procession of Miss Bermuda, Miss Tourism and Glamorous Granny and the start of the marching by the Somerset Brigade Band.

But once in full swing, Bermuda had a mini-Mardi Gras to celebrate.

Even before the parade, Hamilton was humming with the sound of excited chit-chat among youngsters, tune-ups from bandsmen on street corners and Gombeys rushing through the crowds in full dress to get back to their starting points.

Float designers proudly spoke to each other about their award-winning ideas, marked in the morning by nine judges appointed by the Bermuda Heritage Day Parade Committee.

"It's been a marvellous day,'' said Sen. Yvette Swan, the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs who had the job of overseeing the 1998 parade.

"Unity through Diversity is the theme for Heritage Month 1998. Although the citizens of Bermuda originally came from many countries around the world, we are all able to live together in harmony in this small country of ours.

"Because of our diversity, our cultural heritage illustrates a delicate blend of traditions, customs, fashions and foods which leads to a special place called Bermuda.'' It was all summed up by the one little girl on Front Street, who turned to her mom when the fun was almost over.

"Mommy,'' she said. "This has been one of the best days out we've ever had.''