Thousands of excited spectators lined Front Street and Montpellier Road yesterday afternoon to watch the largest May 24 Parade, which ended at the National Stadium.

Organisers were delighted that 60 groups entered the Heritage parade, a 50 percent increase on last year's approximately 40 groups.

Gombey troops, majorettes, unicyclists, dancing troops, marching bands and floats snaked their way past thousands of cheering people.

Families had staked out their seats as early as Monday evening to ensure they wouldn't miss a moment of the annual parade.

This year the weather was perfect for everyone involved in the parade - warm and sunny but with a slight breeze.

West End Primary students Stafari Burrows and Glenn Simmons were hot but very happy to be pushing their go-cart float.

They explained how hard it had been to make their float, spending an afternoon at Long Bay gathering all the bay grape leaves, seeds and flowers they would need for the construction.

This year's theme was "A Bermuda for everyone, everyone for Bermuda".

Other float winners included the Department of Tourism which won the most original award for its depiction of Juan Bermudas' arrival in Bermuda. The float included two lovely looking Island girls waving at Juan while he sat in his vessel The Sea Venture.

The Bermuda Post office won the Ruth Thomas heritage award for its float 'Delivering Bermuda to the World'.

The coveted Premier's Award for the best float went to the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute. It was built and manned by M.W.I. staff and urged Bermudians to be open minded to changing times.

Other winners were PTB, BF&M, Paget Primary, Mid Atlantic Boat Club, Belco, Norma Notthingham and Larry Perinchief.

But the floats weren't the only crowd pleasers. Bermuda's oldest majorette troop, Warwick United Majorettes, were impossible to miss in their eye-popping orange and silver outfits, and the large group spent the day smiling and and twirling.

In total there were four marjorette groups. The Prospect Twirlers won the award for over all presentation and most creative majorettes.

And majorettes weren't the only ones grooving in the annual parade. There were also five dance groups who performed to music of their choice.

The Sandys Community Centre dancers won the overall presentation award for dance groups.

A few of the girls told The Royal Gazette it was hard work dancing in the hot sun, but that they kept hydrated by drinking a lot of water.

The Howard University Showtime Marching Band entered the National Stadium the crowd went wild with many spectators rushing the field.

The group put on two impressive performances that were energetic, melodious and enjoyable.

Ida Ekskog, of Sweden, really enjoyed her first Bermuda Day.

She told The Royal Gazette that her country doesn't have parades quite like Bermuda's.

"It's cool!" she said.

The Carter platoon of the Bermuda Regiment was on hand to help with crowd control along the route and at the finale, along with police officers and parade volunteers.

Heather Whalem, Senior Community and Cultural Affairs officer, was pleased the the day went off without a hitch.

"It's gone really well," she said.

"There is a lot of excitement and energy - the crowd's been wonderful."

She wanted to thank everyone who volunteered to help the parade and everyone who entered it.

Ms Whalem felt the record turn out of participants was good for the Island

"It's a way to keeping aspects of our culture and traditions alive."

Local Larry Rogers agreed with Ms Whalem.

He watches the parade every year but thinks "this one was really good".