Bermuda
Day is a public
holiday in Bermuda, and being observed this year on May 24. It is celebrated on
the Friday before the last Monday in May. This effectively always makes it the
fourth Friday in May.
Bermuda
Day is traditionally the first day of the year that residents will go into the
sea. It is also traditionally the first day on which Bermuda shorts are worn as
business attire (although in recent years, Bermuda shorts are
increasingly worn at any time of the year). Many people also see Bermuda Day as
the first day on which they can go out on the water after the winter] —
consequently there is always a rush to get one's boat 'in de water' before
Bermuda Day.
To celebrate the holiday, there is a
parade in Hamilton, Bermuda and a road race from the west end of the
island into Hamilton. For the first time, in 2015, the race started from St
George's and into Hamilton. These events are popular with spectators, and
residents are known to stake out particular sections of the pavements to enable
them to watch the runners and the floats. Ways of marking out one's
family's section can include roping it off (frowned on as people have been hurt
walking into them the night before), marking it off with tape with one's name
on it, or sleeping there overnight.
