Plumes of gunpowder smoke wafted over hundreds of spectators on Front Street at the annual Queen?s Birthday parade yesterday.

The smoke followed the booms of a 21-gun salute, also known as a ?feu-de-joie?, or fire of joy, which made visitors shudder while perched on the gangways of the cruise ship.

The Regiment Band and Corps of Drums led the way from Cabinet at 10 a.m. for four squads of the Bermuda Regiment soldiers, closely followed by two squads from the Police Service and Reserve Police Service and another from the Fire Service.

At the rear of the parade were the ever popular young marchers, consisting of two squads from the Cadet Corps and one squad from the Sea Cadet Corps.

The troops stood motionless in the sun as they awaited the arrival of key dignitaries, including Governor Sir John Vereker, who represented the Queen. Sir John also led the parade in three cheers to the Queen after inspecting the troops.

Premier Alex Scott, Mayor of Hamilton Jay Bluck, Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. William White, Police Commissioner George Jackson and Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid also attended the special ceremony.

Boston visitor Karen Smith said the parade was an interesting tradition. ?Being from the United States, our parades are a lot different to that. I liked the tradition,? Mrs. Smith said.passengers James Johnson and Pat McCormick had a bird?s eye view of the parade from the ship.

?It?s very unusual. It?s something we never see. We are used to seeing parades that are knock-down and drag-out, like St. Patrick?s Day,? Mr. Johnson, from New Jersey, said. ?It was very dignified and colourful,? Mrs. McCormick said.

However, Jean Fisher from Toms River, New Jersey, said her favourite parts of the parade were the ?peacekeepers? or weaponry.

?It was wonderful, beautiful,? Ms Fisher said. ?I love parades. I grew up with parades.?

But fellow New Jersey resident Greg Novac said his favourite part was seeing the Governor?s landau carriage.

Thomas Harold, from New York, enjoyed the Governor?s ostrich-plumed headgear. The Queen turned 80 on April 21. The birthday Honours List will not be released in the UK and Bermuda until June 17.