Crowds of about 1,000 thronged Front Street for the opening of Harbour Nights last night.The city’s waterfront was pedestrians-only from the Bird Cage by Queen Street, down to Parliament Street. With the Veendam in port and ferries bringing in more from the two cruise ships moored in Dockyard, visitors predominated.New York staters Stephanie and Janine, both from the Celebrity Summit and visiting Bermuda for the first time, said that local arts and jewellery were well-represented at Harbour Nights: “Everyone’s really friendly here,” one said.“So far, so good,” was the verdict of vendor Grant Kennedy, running his Bermuda Jam Factory stall. “It’s an awesome atmosphere, people are having a great time. It’s a little disappointing that we didn’t start three weeks earlier, but they’ve still done a great job.”Arthur Wales of jewellery stand Wales Accessories was among the 71 vendors out from 7 o’clock last night.“It’s been a little slow,” he admitted, “but it’ll pick up. We have until 10pm. It’s the first night, it’s hard to tell. I’m getting people passing by and then coming back.”Standing by her ceramics stall, artist Doris Wade said: “Most of the people I’ve been getting are straight off the Veendam. I’ve spoken to a good few local people too. It’s good so far.”“We’re doing well enough,” echoed cedar stall vendor Teri White. “When the schools are out, that’s when we’ll get the big numbers.”Harbour Nights began with a welcome from the flagpole stage by Hamilton Town Crier Ed Christopher, introducing Chamber of Commerce chairman Stephen Todd. Glen Smith from the City of Hamilton, and Community Development permanent secretary Wayne Carey briefly addressed the crowd.Music then took over, starting with the Warner Gombeys, with the crowds heaviest around the stage, while the number one parking lot became a food court.Late night shopping also continued till 9pm in Front Street businesses.Chamber of Commerce event coordinator Stacey Madeiros-Cooke strolled nearby, counting off numbers.“This is my second Harbour Nights,” she said.“I think our overall quality of merchandise is excellent this year, and it’s a better opening night generally. We have 20 more vendors coming for next week, and we’re expanding what’s on offer, with go-karts and a mechanical bull. The second the schools get out, not only locally but away, numbers here will double and you’ll see more local people coming out. I’m very happy with what I’m seeing here tonight.”Harbour Nights will run until August 31.Useful web link: www.bermudacommerce.com