Bermuda Day is a treasured national holiday that has endured for generations.
Bermudians have traditionally marked the day as their official start to the Bermuda summer, with many families making May 24 their first beach day of the year.
More recently, the Bermuda Day Parade has made a massive impact on our culture, and how we celebrate what it means to be Bermudian on this special day that has its roots in our Victorian past. Bermudians of all ages love Bermuda Day, and many of the traditions we partake in on the holiday have become rites of passage.
Whether you are committed to taking that first plunge into the – still – frigid mid-Atlantic water, or you’ve made it a personal goal to complete the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon, there’s something going on each year that will inspire you to move.
Proud parade
Valerie Byron is a vivacious sixty-something who will insist that you call her ‘Val’ almost immediately!
Val’s favourite Bermuda Day tradition is the always vibrant Bermuda Day Parade – which she has been marching in as a majorette for more than three decades.
“I’ve been dancing in the majorettes, off and on, for the past 35 years,” she said.
“I started with the St George’s majorettes, with Gilda Mello-Bean – my hero. I carry Gilda’s legacy with me when it comes to dancing. I was Gilda’s right hand, back then when we were in St George’s.
“Now we have the Ex-Artillery Club Elite Majorettes. We are all between the ages of 35, and our oldest majorette just turned 71 this year – and yes, she does her thing very, very well.
“It’s just a fun activity; it’s good exercise; it’s free – we just enjoy it so, so, so much.
“I think, next to Cup Match, 24th of May is the biggest and best ever Bermuda holiday! Hopefully, we’ll be around to celebrate it all for many, many, many more years. And I only hope that it gets bigger and better every year.”
Family fun
She loves how Bermudians come together and have a lot of fun on Bermuda Day – especially on the streets during the parade.
“It’s just a special day. Bermudians, you know, we all get together and have a helluva time. It’s just a good family day. My experiences have always been very, very positive. I’ve always had a good time dancing and marching – I wouldn’t change or trade anything at all!”
Over the years, Val has noticed a change in the dance groups participating in the parade. Traditional majorette groups have lost ground to more modern dance troupes – but she welcomes all who have the drive to participate, because it all just keeps the special Bermuda Day vibes moving forward.
Pick your outfit
Canaisa Wolffe, 18, has been involved with one of those modern dance troupes, years ago. Canaisa is now a proud member of CedarBridge Academy’s Class of 2025, and will be graduating in a matter of weeks.
Canaisa cites our traditional Bermuda Day preparation ritual as one of her favourite annual rites.
“Starting before the parade – of course – finding the perfect outfit,” she said. “The best outfit, of course. It has to match the summer vibe.”
Now this is definitely a timeless Bermudian tradition for 24th of May! Each and every one of us has, at one point or another, done the absolute most to ensure that we were decked out ‘just so’ for the annual Bermuda Day festivities.
Whether we laboured over our costume for the parade, or we just had to be the freshest and cleanest spectator on the street, the Bermuda Day fit was a major project at some point in every Bermudian’s life!
Beach time!
Canaisa names Horseshoe Bay as a cherished Bermuda Day destination for her and her family, adding that the traditional Bermuda Day dip in the Atlantic is a great custom if she doesn’t attend the parade.
Her enthusiasm for the parade, however, is infectious – and she insists that she will be attending this year.
“I love the festive vibes and just being with family and friends enjoying the floats going by, the dancers. I was dancing at some point in the parade, when I was younger. I danced in a group called Dynamic Revolution.
“The Gombeys are, like, one of the best parts for me too. I love summertime, so Bermuda Day kind of starts off my summer for me. And, again, just being around family and friends.”
For many Bermudians, the June 21 will never be the first day of summer – not as long as there’s a 24th day of May on the calendar.
Making memories
Countless thousands of Bermudians have created special memories on Bermuda Day, and if you’ve ever participated in the annual parade, you’re sure to remember it fondly, regardless of the inevitable fatigue and possible foot pain by the end of the day.
“Being in the parade – and I think it was my first time too – I think I only performed once; and I enjoyed it,” Canaisa said.
“Even at a young age, I enjoyed it, because I was dancing with my friends, and my momma was there to support me.”
The day might be tiring and hot, but the memories are never bad. Whether you dance the afternoon away on the back of a big truck, don an elaborate carnival-style costume, represent your neighbourhood social club as a majorette, or just get a group of your friends together to dance in the street all day, the Bermuda Day parade is a place where lifelong memories will inevitably be made.
Bermuda Day means so much to so many people. Some years ago, a friend of mine ran the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon, met his girlfriend at the finish line in Bernard’s Park, and proposed to her on the spot – legend.
Swim, run, dance, march, or ride and wave – whatever you do, Bermuda Day is for you!
