TOMORROW night’s Independence Day celebration in Bermuda will be one for the record books, if the local American Society has its way.Some 6,000 people, who have already been issued with special wristbands, are expected to gather at Moresby Plain near Dockyard for what could be the largest ever Independence Day celebration outside of the United States.

“We’re very excited to host the event this year,” said US Consul General Gregory Slayton. “It’s a huge endeavour — we’ve been planning it for about six months.”

The event, a decades-long tradition, has taken on a new meaning under Mr. Slayton’s tenure.

“It used to be very much an American affair. Now it’s an American-Bermudian celebration. We’ve also started to emphasise the charitable aspect.

“Last year we were blessed to give away over $100,000 to many deserving charities. We’re hoping to build on that this year.”

Yet, assembling roughly a tenth of the island’s population in one place is no easy task.

Mr. Slayton offered some advice: “It’s absolutely critical that all guests bring their wristband — which they should all have by now.

“We tend to think in Bermuda that we’ll know someone there who can let us in. Well, that might work with 60 people, but not for 6,000. If you don’t have a wristband, you can’t get in. That goes for me, too!”

After working closely with the Ministry of Transport, the American Society has secured free public transport from St. George’s, Hamilton and Rockaway for all guests with an official wristband.

Free parking will also be available at the Number One Shed on Front Street.

Despite the headaches in organising the event, Mr. Slayton remains idealistic about its purpose.

“It’s such a great holiday, it emphasises all that we have in common. It’s really a celebration of our shared values — freedom, individual liberty, family and democracy.

“As an American myself, I have mixed emotions. I’d love to be celebrating it back home, but we’re honoured and blessed to be here.”

It is a sentiment shared by Mr. Slayton’s son Daniel: “It’s great to be able to spread the joy and festivities of Independence Day with the community.”

The theme this year is Celebrating Freedom — Giving Back to muda<$>.

Mr. Slayton said that after meeting the costs of the celebration all further revenue would be donated to the more than 40 local charities.

“It really has been a wonderful coming together of the community. At its best, I think that’s exactly what America represents. We’re all in there together.

“I’d just like to thank our generous corporate sponsors — they’ve been fantastic. Also to my co-chairs, Brad Woodings and Cindy Campbell, and the other 500 volunteers who have made this possible.”