2017 Bermuda Day Parade Float Award Winners

[Updated] Thousands of people are lining the streets for today’s [May 24] Bermuda Day Parade  to cheer on the all of those participating in the Parade, which included a number of intricately decorated floats, with the winners now being officially announced.

Awards:

• Natural Heritage Float- 1st – Department of Corrections
• Natural Heritage Float- 2nd – Sandy’s Middle School
• Natural Heritage Float- 3rd – Bermuda Public Services Union
• Upcycled Float- 1st – Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club
• Art Float- 1st – House of Azores
• Art Float – 2nd – X-Road Warriors
• Art Float – 3rd – Lotus Mind Body Spirit Wellness Centre

Special Awards [Open to all Judged Categories]:

• Premier’s Award for Best Float [Open for all 3 float categories] – Department of Corrections
• Reggie Ming Award for Most Beautiful Float [Open for all 3 float categories] – Sandy’s Middle School
• Minister’s Award for Most Original Float [Open for all 3 float categories] – Bermuda Public Services Union
• Ruth Thomas Award for Best Heritage Float [Open for Natural Heritage float category] – Roots to Shoots to Fruits: Profiles of Sportsmanship
• Dr. J. Williams Award for Best Middle School Float – Sandy’s Middle School
• Best Government Department – Department of Community and Cultural Affairs
• Mrs. J.J. Outerbridge Award for Best Individual Float – Driving Instructor’s Association
• L.C.C.A. Award for Best Charity Float – Portuguese Cultural Association & Vasco da Gama
• Chamber of Commerce Award for Best Corporate Float – Johns Hopkins Medicine International

Update May 25, 3.50pm: Minister of Social Development and Sports Nandi Outerbridge said, “I want to thank all parade participants and spectators for their contributions in making this year’s Bermuda Day Parade another successful and enjoyable occasion.”

Minister Outerbridge with some award recipients, Director of Community and Cultural Affairs Heather Whale, and Cultural Affairs’ Programme Manager Carlita Lodge:

“From the military precision of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band, to the spectacular costumes and choreography showcased by the various dance groups, to the wonderful display of tradition from six Gombey troupes closing out the parade, I think we can all agree that it was a fabulous day.”

The Minister’s full speech follows below:

Let me begin by first commending all the groups who took part in the spectacular Bermuda Day Parade yesterday!

From the military precision of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band, to the spectacular costumes and choreography showcased by the various dance groups, to the wonderful display of tradition from six Gombey troupes closing out the parade, I think we can all agree that it was a fabulous day!

And, while the rest of the parade is not judged, we do present awards to the most outstanding parade floats in various categories, which leads me to why we are here today.

Today we really want to acknowledge and highlight the float participants who toiled over creating the perfect display of tradition and pageantry, in the three categories: Natural Heritage Float, Upcycled Float, and Art Float.

I also want to recognize the float building apprenticeship programmes which resulted in the creation of two outstanding floats. The Department of Corrections, working in collaboration with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, developed a targeted float building workshop for its population. Many of their participants had never built a float before; however their participants were highly motivated and produced a high-quality float to represent the Department of Corrections.

A second apprenticeship programme, organized through the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Folklife Apprenticeship Programme, took place with the help of Master Tradition Bearer Mr. Andrew Furbert – an expert in float building. He guided his apprentice – Alexander Winfield – in the art and craft of designing and building a float.

I am also extremely grateful to the judges who had to make some very difficult decisions this year. The judges -Nell Johnston, DeShae DeShields, and Tona Symonds – deserve a huge applause.

Now, onto the awards.

In the Natural Heritage Float Category, the design had to be related to the Bermuda Day theme: “Our Sporting Heritage”. The criteria for this category states that all decorated areas must be fully covered with natural materials and that local flora should be used as much as possible. Paper and fabric are permissible in this category, but should not have unnatural patterns or designs.

In first place for the Natural Heritage Float category is Department of Corrections. In second place for Natural Heritage Float category is Sandys Middle School. And in third place for the Natural Heritage Float category is Bermuda Public Services Union.

Our next category, the Upcycled Float Category, is a new category, which made its debut only last year. The design for Upcycled Floats should be related to Bermuda Day theme: “Our Sporting Heritage”. All materials in this category of float must be previously used and/or potentially destined for trash or recycling.

And the overall winner of the Upcycled Float category is Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club.

Next is the Art Float Category. This can be either a collection of art works displayed, a painted mural, or sculpture. This entry can be a walking entry [carrying the artwork] or a float/vehicle entry. Again, the design should be related to Bermuda Day theme: “Our Sporting Heritage”.

In first place for the Art Float category is House of Azores. In second place for the Art Float category is X-Road Warriors. In third place for the Art Float category is Lotus Mind Body Spirit Wellness Centre.

And now I will turn to the special awards.

The Premier’s Award for Best Float goes to Department of Corrections. The Reggie Ming Award for Most Beautiful Float goes to Sandys Middle School. The Minister’s Award for Most Original Float goes to Bermuda Public Services Union. The Ruth Thomas Award for Best Heritage Float goes to Roots to Shoots to Fruits: Profiles of Sportsmanship.

The Dr. J. Williams Award for Best Middle School Float goes to Sandys Middle School. The Best Government Department goes to The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. The Mrs. J.J. Outerbridge Award for Best Individual Float goes to Driving Instructor’s Association.

The L.C.C.A. Award for Best Charity Float goes to Portuguese Cultural Association & Vasco da Gama. The Chamber of Commerce Award for Best Corporate Float goes to Johns Hopkins Medicine International. That now completes the awards presentation.

In conclusion, I want to thank all parade participants and spectators for their contributions in making this year’s Bermuda Day Parade another successful and enjoyable occasion!

Thank You.

#May24thHoliday

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