Holiday merrymakers lined the streets of the City of Hamilton last night to kick off the Christmas season.

Revellers of all ages were treated to floats, dance troupes, motorbikes, rope jumpers, Gombeys and Santa Claus as part of the annual MarketPlace Christmas Parade.

Rhonda Simmons, 49, was taking in the sights and sounds with her daughter Bailey, aged 7.

Ms Simmons said that the fun the pair had at last year’s parade had brought them back again.

The Paget woman added: “We decided we were going to step it up a notch — or two.”

Ms Simmons, who wore a necklace made of Christmas lights, added: “We’ve acquired a lot of the flashing lights, glasses and decorations.

“We’re just ready to have a good time and be festive.”

She said the diversity of people the event attracted brought made her “heart happy”.

Ms Simmons added: “It makes me very appreciative to be living in Bermuda and be Bermudian. It’s a very good kick off to the holiday season.”

Lisa Richold agreed. Ms Richold, 53, said: “It’s a good feeling that everyone can come together and enjoy each other’s company and an occasion like this.”

The St George’s resident was joined by her husband Michael, 53, and six-year-old daughter Ashley. She said the family attend the event every year. Ms Richold added: “It’s just a way of kicking off the Christmas season.”

Wennetta Dill, 70, said that she also attended the event “every year”.

The Hamilton Parish woman said the majorettes were her favourite parts of the annual parade. Ms Dill said she enjoyed the “Christmas spirit” and that the event was a great way to welcome the holiday season.

Friends Laurie Place, 26, and Chaela Perinchief said it was the first time “for a while” they had come out.

Ms Perinchief, 25, said the event offered an excuse to dress up her dog, Echoe. The four-legged family member wore an outfit comprised of a tutu, reindeer horns and bells.

The Hamilton Parish resident explained of the outfit: “There’s not a lot of events that you can take your dog to — so why not?”

Ms Perinchief, a designer, said she also wanted to see some of her work first hand. She explained that she had designed the costumes for the XPT Dance Group who were participating in the parade.

Saloshna Reddi said her family had been out exploring the island earlier in the day when they heard about the event.

She added: “We decided to stop by and show the kids a little bit of the Bermudian Christmas parade.”

Ms Reddi said her family, from South Africa, was on the island for a weekend visit. She described the first trip to Bermuda as “absolutely amazing”.

Her husband, Sushen, added: “I love it.”

Their son Yeshen, 7, said that he was looking forward to seeing Santa and the motorcycles. He was joined by his younger brother Kershen, aged 2.

The parade started on Par-la-Ville Road before heading onto Front Street, up Court Street and snaking back along Church Street to where it started.