It was hard to believe that only a few short weeks ago the Christmas Boat Parade in Hamilton Harbour was in jeopardy because less than ten boats had entered. While numbers were still lower compared with previous years, a raggle-taggle armada of 46 boats eventually joined the two-lap parade of the harbour.

A higher number of impressive corporate entrants has now given heart to the event organisers that the parade, now in its seventh year, will go from strength to strength.

However, event founder Norma Thomson is keen that individual boat owners should continue to put on a show in what has become Bermuda's latest unique event.

On an evening warm enough for short sleeves and thin cardigans, thousands thronged to waterfront vantage points in Hamilton and across the water off Harbour Road in Paget to watch the boats be-decked with festive lights and enjoy Christmas songs and even a dancing Santa.

"I've heard nothing but people raving and happy that we have done it again," said Ms Thomson.

"We had about 20 companies and corporation entries this year. That is where the manpower is. It's the direction the parade is heading. Rather than putting the burden on one guy it spreads the expense and the labour."

However, inventive individual boat owners will always be welcome and this year there was more than a few on show. A simple use of eye-catching, turquoise-coloured lights made Vanell Ingham's 31ft-long Ingy stand out.

The dancing Santa, who somehow managed to keep boogying for two complete harbour circuits, was to be found on Leon Raynor's boat Sally Bum Bum. And Santa got a big laugh with a break-dance move as he passed the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel.

A theme emerged with Belco poking fun at itself sailing a model of its power station with pretend fire exploding from the top in scenes reminiscent of the real fire last July. It's choice of appropriate music included Journey's 'When The Lights Go Down In The City'.

A few boats further behind John Da Silva's Sylvia's Magician had festive lights that flashed on and off to be replaced with a sign 'Belco Blackout'.

The overall winner was John Carr's Nomad and its impressive tribute to the Bermuda Cricket Team and boxing champion Teresa Perozzi, which also happened to be the biggest of the boats while Andrew Osbourne's Scout at 17ft was the smallest.

The boats appeared as a string of shining pearls, like fairy boats in the dark water as they crossed from Frith Point back to Pitts Bay.

A spectacular fireworks display at 8 p.m., courtesy of XL Capital, brought the evening to a climax. The only hiccup of the whole night was the parade starting half-an-hour earlier than planned. This was put down to a mix-up in communication, although it also showed the Bermudian way of wanting to start the party as soon as possible.

Ms Thomson said: "It brings together people from all walks of life and it's a beautiful thing for the Island and really special. We need the support of people because without the participants it would fade away." She thanked the other main sponsors Cable & Wireless, Bacardi, the Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport, Freinsbruch-Meyer and the ACE Foundation, as well as her fellow committee members and said she hopes the event will continue to be a permanent addition to the Bermudian calendar.