A grassroots petition to move the Bermuda Day celebrations to a Friday has gathered nearly 350 signatures.

The petition wants to see the holiday, parade and half marathon shifted to the Friday before the last Monday in May to allow people more time to recover.

The petition calls on Premier Michael Dunkley and Government to “make the necessary changes” to allow a move to another day.

One comment on the petition, on change.org, said: “My heart goes out to the young children who have spent hours in the sun and have to go to school the next day. It must be tortuous for them and their parents.”

Another said: “Having Bermuda Day on a Friday gives tourists a long weekend of fun activities and a chance to mingle with locals.

“When I travel, these are the two things I look for — fun activities and the people.

“Having Bermuda Day in the middle of the week means tourists have one day to really engage our Bermudaful people and the next day everyone is back to work.

“Coming for one day is not ideal nor is it cost-efficient. Change the date and Bermudians and tourists can fully appreciate our culture during this festival time.”

And a regular parade participant with Warwick United Majorettes and Drum Corps wrote: “This is important to me as a participant for 32 years in the parade.

“It allows my members, family members and myself to be able to recover from all the hard work, dedication and months of preparation to celebrate Heritage/Bermuda Day.

“I think most people focus on the date May 24 instead of celebrating the heritage of Bermuda which can be established and celebrated any day.”

Bermuda day is a public holiday and is usually held on May 24 every year.

But if the date falls on a weekend, then it is held on the nearest following weekday.