The Island’s top spectator event of the year — the Christmas Boat Parade — finished with a bang over the weekend, treating 20,000 viewers to a stunning fireworks display.

A casino-themed boat decked out with slot machines, glowing dice and a Vegas-style sign advertising Hamilton, took the overall top prize.

The boat, dubbed Warlock, was a labour of love by staff from Crisson Construction and Bermuda Blueprinting Ltd.

“Worker bee” Valerie Crisson said it took “a huge collaborative effort” to wire up the floating gambling den.

“We worked together, but the Blueprinting guys came up with the theme,” she said.

A warm, still night made for ideal conditions, Ms Crisson added: “We couldn’t have had better weather.”

Some 50 boats checked in for the parade, currently held biennially.

“As always, it was amazing how creative they got,” organiser Norma Thomson said. “People just go way out in decorating their boats.”

The parade struggles to keep a good number of entrants, but Front Street and Harbour Road teemed with spectators.

And, at 8.30pm, pyrotechnics launched from White’s Island lit up the skies.

Meanwhile, 19 categories ensured that everybody won something for taking part.

In top place for Best Commercial boat was Playmate, entered by Playmate Fishing Charters. Spirit of Bermuda won Best Sailboat, and Bermuda Pest Control’s Blue Heron was the top corporate entry.

The Caledonian Society of Bermuda won Best Non-profit with Naughtiness, while Bill Pitman’s Sylvester took Best Powerboat under 25ft — and James Boyce’s Dutch Courage won the over-25 category.

Best Bermuda Themed boat was Full Hott Scott, entered by Corey Masters-Brown; Jamie Chaters’ Megabucks won Best Community Message.

Topping Most Original was Edwin Whitfield’s Andrea Christine, while Friends of Black Seal got Most Humorous with Cedar; the Chewstick Foundation’s Halcyon won Best Traditional Christmas theme.

Twisted Tini entered by Martin Harvey took Best Contemporary. Best Crew Costumes went to Carlos Falcao’s Lucky Charms, and William Knight White’s Gabriella won Most Confusing.

Fairmont Southampton Turtle Hill Golf Club won Best Use of Lights with Friendship, and Best Music went to Anamaria Worswick’s Unholey.

In the Pink Category, Peter Stableford’s Just Sayin came in first, while Justin Williams’ Justified was deemed Most Fun to be Aboard. The MarketPlace barge took the Children’s Choice category.

“We’re going to redo some of the categories and ask people for suggestions for the next one,” Ms Thomson said. “We’ll have two years to think about it.”