Parading At Last
Bermuda’s annual Christmas Boat Parade almost didn’t happen this year. But after being postponed twice last week due to rain and high winds, the event finally went ahead this evening – just hours before another front of wet and windy weather struck the Island.
This year approximately 40 boats took part in the two-mile procession around Hamilton Harbour, down from the 60 due to take part last week. The Parade is reckoned to be Bermuda’s biggest spectator event, with some 20,000 people – one third of the Island’s population – watching from various points around the harbour. But there didn’t seem to be that many people tonight, with the normally packed waterfront relatively lightly occupied. The fireworks that normally conclude the event were also noticeably absent.
The postponement and the uncertain weather were almost certainly to blame. At a couple of points during the ninety minute show the crowds were spotted with raindrops; luckily the deluge held off until after the boats had completed their second circuit and headed back to the Hamilton Princess hotel for the judging.
Despite the problems there were some great entries this year, including a couple of sharks, the ubiquitous Sponge Bob, a Bermuda kite and Flo the (recently recaptured) flamingo. But by far the best was a gigantic likeness of Bermuda’s Wizard of the Wave, Johnny Barnes, with the man himself showering the crowds with love from a point up in the bow.
More of my photos of the event can be seen here.
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Lovely to see your photos Phil. Thank you for taking the trouble. I loved the Johnny Barnes boat too. One day I'll get to see him in person if I get my butt out of bed early enough! Merry Christmas all!
Robina. The Limey in snowy NH.
Posted by Bill Akin on 20.12.04 at 20:19
Does anyone know when next year's Boat parade is scheduled for
Posted by Jonathan on 08.03.05 at 07:20
Just before Xmas....Check the Bermuda Underwater Group or the Bda . Chamber of commerce, for the exact date.
Posted by big bad wolf on 08.03.05 at 08:11
Jonathan - The 2005 Boat Parade is scheduled to be held on Saturday December 10.
Posted by The Limey on 12.03.05 at 22:56
Limey your forgetting the weather..it might be on the 10th of December.
Posted by big bad wolf on 12.03.05 at 23:28