The massive contribution of women in the community was the main message of a colourful Bermuda Day parade yesterday.

There was a carnival atmosphere both on the parade and in Bernard Park earlier in the day.

Many thousands of locals and visitors lined the streets and Front Street was like a non-stop party for over an hour.

In Bernard Park, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan praised women and young people for their contributions to the day and for Bermuda's heritage.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said Bermuda Day was a time to celebrate differences and similarities, and mentioned the advent of democracy in South Africa.

But the parade was mainly a celebration of women's work with many Bermudian women mentioned. The United Bermuda Party float stressing woman's roles as "mother, wife, educator and more''. That won the "best organisation'' float award.

Women mentioned in the floats were historian Ms Nellie Musson, founder of the Physical Abuse Centre Dr. Mary Busby, former slave Ms Mary Prince, and first principal of Paget Glebe School Mrs. Adele Tucker, prepared by Warwick Parish council and winning the "best parish'' award.

Two other floats actually contained the ladies they were praising, entertainer Mrs. Erma Butterfield and grandmother Mrs. Silvia Anderson, who was on a float made by her family. Both women received loud cheers from the crowds.

The Women's Suffrage Society float celebrated the 50th anniversary of the movement in Bermuda and was sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Association and eight other women's civic groups.

For the first time in many years, the Police had a float in the parade, organised by Public Relations Officer Sgt. Roseanda Jones. The float celebrated the first local Policewoman former Insp. Jean Delight Vickers.

That float, winning the "best club'' award, was led by Sgt. Cindy Eve-Spencer on her Police motorcycle. She is one of only two female Police motorcyclists.

Otherwise the main attraction to most of the spectators yesterday was how colourful and lively the parade was compared to previous years.

Commentating for TV for the first time in a couple of years, Ms Lee Stovell said: "This has been more exciting than the past few years. It was a lot more colourful, especially the carnival dancers. There were a lot more here than last time.'' Ms Stovell also praised her colleague Mrs. Tina Caines, whom she referred by her radio name, "Lady T''. The couple kept TV viewers informed of all the floats this year.

Colour was definitely the order of the day in the parade with the majorette groups making great efforts to show a wide variety of dazzling costumes. The orange and silver sequined Hamilton Parish Hot Pepper Majorettes, the multicoloured St. George's Dancerettes and the jade green Uniquely Combined Drill Team particularly caught the eye.

Probably the most imaginative float of the day was the Hot Gossip Equals Cold Ducking effort by John Barritt & Son. The float included a ducking stool and water spraying out every time the victim was ducked. This won the "most original'' award.

Following the school and majorette section of the parade things began to hot up with the dancers and bands. Soca and calypso blasted out of the speakers as spectators, especially the younger ones, joined in to dance but kept their clothes on -- even when "Take Your Clothes Off'' started.

African Pride, Here Comes The Boat Club, Piece Of Rock and K.C.'s Carnival Dancers led the party before the carnival dancers and the gombeys danced in.

Mrs. Caines said: "It has been a real carnival atmosphere. There has been a real party on Front Street today.'' Awards: Commercial and most original "Hot Gossip Equals Cold Ducking'' John Barritt and Son; organisation "The Many Roles of Women'' U.B.P.; second organisation "25th Anniversary'' Camp Hope; club and Mayor's award "Bermuda's First Local Policewoman'' Police Club; second club and judges' award "Women's Role in the Second World War'' Bermuda Womens War Veterans Committee; community "Mothers, Keepers of our Legacy'' Young Portuguese Women; second community "Together for the Family'' Fairhaven.

Parish "A Tribute to Adele Tucker'' Warwick Parish Council; individual "Most Beautiful woman in the World'' Lionel and Joey Smith and John Lightbourne; second individual "Silvia'' the Anderson family; combined school and most beautiful "In Celebration of Women's Education'' Bermuda High School for Girls; high school and cultural affairs award "A Tribute to Nellie Musson'' St. George's Secondary.