There'll be a new route and a new start time for this year's Bermuda Day parade, Culture Minister Randy Horton announced yesterday - but no rain.

"We had rain last year, so, there will be no rain this year," Mr. Horton said at a press conference on the parade yesterday.

Thousands were disappointed last year when the popular annual event was washed out by heavy rains in the morning.

This year's parade will be held on Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. the Minister said and the theme is `Tourism Through The Ages'.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to acknowledge an industry which has for many years been one of the most important pillars of our economy," Mr. Horton said.

Meanwhile, the theme for Heritage Month is Ecotourism. For the first time since 1985, the parade will terminate at National Sports Centre in Devonshire.

"The route will see the parade wind its way through Hamilton but instead of ending at Bernard's Park, as it has in recent years, it will end at National Sports Centre in Prospect - in particular, the North Field or Old Frog Lane," Mr. Horton said.

"We believe this new venue will facilitate a smoother flow of the parade and allow more persons even greater vantage points to view the parade."

As in past years, the parade will assemble at Bull's Head car park, he continued, although it will start an hour earlier. Mr. Horton said the new route should allow for traffic to normalise through Hamilton much earlier than in past years. From the car park, the route will follow Par-la-Ville Road North to Church Street, right onto Queen Street, left onto Front Street, left onto Court Street, right onto Reid Street and along Reid Street Extension and Cavendish Road out of the city to Montpelier Road, Frog Lane and North Field.

"Once the entire parade has reached the field, the Gombey groups, Majorette organisations and other dance organisations will perform," Mr. Horton said.

Also participating in this year's events will be the Morgan State University Marching Band, originally slated for last year's parade. Mr. Horton reminded the public that there will be a float building workshop at Bermuda College on April 27 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and April 28 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

"The sporting events associated with Bermuda Day will observe the same start times and starting points as in the past but the ending of these events will also be held at the National Sports Centre," Mr. Horton continued.

"In closing, I would like to say that the Ministry is encouraging everyone to come out and enjoy the events we have planned."