The Island's heritage was on show in a blaze of colour yesterday as the community celebrated 'Life in Old Bermuda'.

This year's Bermuda Day Heritage Parade marked the passage of time with floats depicting nostalgic scenes from yesteryear. Vintage automobiles and bicycles rolled by and even the Island's drag queen, self-styled 'Queen of Bermuda' Sybil Barrington got into the swing of things in a vintage English dress.

Twirling an old-fashioned parasol and wearing a pink and blue nineteenth century gown, Ms Barrington, aka Mark Anderson, said: "I think the atmosphere today is just wonderful and I love the theme of old Bermuda - it's marvellous. In Bermuda everyone has a story to tell."

This year was Ms Barrington's fourth parade and 'she' was to be joined by 'Queen of Portugal' Kevin Mendonca until he dropped out. Time has certainly brought many changes to the Island, but Bermudians are still willing to invest a great deal of time and effort into the Heritage Parade. The care and attention to detail in the costumes and floats made this year's parade one of the most memorable in recent history.

Ahead of the day's events, the build-up of anticipation even inspired some Bermudians to camp out on the sidewalks to stake a prime viewing spot.

Over the weekend, an invasion of chairs, gazebos and cooler boxes along the roadsides all pointed to the pride in which the community takes in the Island's national holiday.

Yesterday, residents and tourists basked in the sunshine and carnival atmosphere as marching bands, majorettes, Gombeys and beauty queens wound their way along Front Street and onto Court Street, Victoria Street and Cedar Avenue.

Thousands enjoyed the spectacle, with tourists particularly impressed at the colour and character of the celebration.

Dennis Malloy, a 56-year-old human resources manager from Delaware in the US, was enjoying watching the Places New Generation Gombeys with his wife Ruth. It was the couple's first visit to Bermuda since their honeymoon on the Island 34 years ago.

Mr. Malloy said: "The parade is lovely and the colours are just spectacular. The time and effort people have put into this is just amazing. And everyone seems to be having such a good time.

"To come from the US to see this, it is so well put together. They do such a nice job, and the way the Gombeys are choreographed is just incredible."

The floats yesterday ranged from the pretty railway carriages of the Bermuda Post Office's 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' to a seaplane with rotating propellers by Sandys Secondary Middle School to commemorate 'Bermuda's First Airport' at Darrell's Island. Traditional Bermudian cottages were also a popular feature, as were rural scenes and Calypsonians.

Among the larger floats, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs depicted a field with life-size horse and plough for 'Life in Old Bermuda' while the Ministry of Works and Engineering celebrated St. John's AME Church.

The heart and soul of the parade however, belonged to the Gombeys, drummers and majorettes. Front Street was Sequin Central as hundreds of girls danced their way through the crowds in vivid colour costumes, matching pom poms and plumes.

Maxine Smith and her six-year-old daughter Micaela wore lime green and silver outfits as part of the Warwick United Majorettes and Drum Corps.

Ms Smith said: "I feel it's important to take part in the parade, the number one reason being that it is our heritage and it teaches our children what Bermuda is all about.

"I think it's a wonderful atmosphere today and everyone seems so happy and excited."