An unprecedented schedule of events lies ahead for the Bermuda Heroes Weekend holiday, which kicked off last night with free live soca on Front Street.

The official induction and proclamation ceremony is set for 4pm tomorrow in King’s Square, St George — and for those looking for a little pomp, the Bermuda Regiment will hold its Trooping the Colours ceremony and the Queen’s Birthday Parade from 10am today at the National Stadium. Otherwise it is a weekend of festivities, and for many it will already have been a long night with the J’ouvert running from 3am to 8am at Dockyard.

The Caribbean street party is so-called from the French “jour ouvert”, for daybreak, and Bermuda’s version of it has stuck with that tradition. Arrangements had to be made hastily after the booking of Morgan’s Point fell through, but the overnight party was not expected to affect “anything from a commercial or residential standpoint within Dockyard”, a spokeswoman said.

Run by BHW Limited, the big events of the weekend are aimed at merging cultural tourism with entertainment. For the Parade of the Bands later today, organisers have declared that no roads will be closed in Dockyard.

At least six heavy-duty parade trucks will be stationed in the South Basin from 11am, setting out at 2pm from the small bridge leading into Dockyard and then making their way to the cruise ship pier. The trucks, followed by pedestrians, should take between one and two hours, thus affecting any traffic that will be behind the parade.

However, the opposite lane should remain open. Event organisers have requested drivers to avoid the roads during the parade, as well as not parking near Dockyard Terraces or Snorkel Park until after the parade is finished at 8pm. All persons attending the events have been asked to park at Malabar Field or use public transport, and parking is not expected to become an issue.

Among other offerings, steelpan in Hamilton’s Queen Elizabeth Park is set for tomorrow, and the Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race will take to the waters from the West End to St George’s Harbour on Monday. Also on Monday, the Bermuda Heroes Weekend raft-up will go ahead in the waters of North Shore, off Admiralty House.

Last night Premier Michael Dunkley gave tribute to the two new inductees: Gladys Carlyon de Courcy Morrell and Sir Edward Trenton Richards, who join luminaries such as Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Dr Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon, Dr Pauulu Kamarakafego, Sir Henry James Tucker and Mary Prince.

“Socially and politically, both of these individuals have made profound contributions to our country,” Mr Dunkley said, urging people to pause and reflect on the holiday’s meaning.

“It’s about honouring the legacies of all of Bermuda’s heroes both named and unnamed.

“It’s about recognising those pioneering men and women of Bermuda who were committed to selfless acts of public service and whose lives were spent devoted to improving the circumstances of our people. Their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. We owe them a debt of gratitude and we are proud to honour their service.”

Wishing a safe and happy holiday to all, Mr Dunkley closed by reminding residents not to drink and drive, and to stay safe on the roads and out on the water.