It’s time to slather on the sunscreen and brush up on your cricket terms like ‘Out for a duck’ and ‘ Howzat’ — because it’s Cup Match.The Royal Gazette’s Lifestyle section has polled some of our favourite contacts to find out what exactly makes the holiday such a favourite with residents.According to Miss Bermuda, Katherine Arnfield, her favourite part of the holiday is watching residents unite.“Whatever the outcome of the game, Cup Match really brings the community together,” she said. “The buzz leading up to the holiday is almost as good as the holiday itself and is the highlight of the summer. Cup Match helps people to forget their problems for a few days and remember what Bermuda is all about.”She said the downside was that the four-day holiday weekend was just not long enough. (We hear you Katherine!).Local ukulele artist, Mike Hind, said this was his favourite time of year because of “the camaraderie the rivalry it causes”.“It’s okay to pretend to despise someone — even a spouse, best friend or sibling — because of the colour of their ribbons. It’s okay to toot your horn at someone because of the flags they are sporting on their car. It’s the smiles — genuine and wide — on folks faces when you do. And better, when you get into a mudslinging match with supporters of the other side. Horrible things are said to each other, and yet, we’re never closer, as a community.”For Mr Hind, the worst part of the holiday is the intense heat. “I’m not smart enough to stay inside, out of the sun, and usually end up burned to a crisp,” he said.Model Deandra Brangman said there was plenty of reasons to look forward to the celebration.She told The Royal Gazette: “Cup Match is one of my favourite holiday’s for many reasons. The only low is that Cup Match is only two days. Family, friends, food, fashion and the love of the game what’s not to love?”Gavin Smith, the co-founder of Chewstick, said his favourite part of the long weekend was seeing how “vibrant and unified” the community becomes.“People put aside political, socio-economic and tribal divisions and come together to have fun and celebrate,” he said. “Even though we tend to still divide into the two tribes of Somerset and St George’s for the game, overall this is the best time to be in Bermuda, and I wish it lasted all year round!”He said the worst part of the tradition is having to acknowledge how beautiful and historic St George’s is and feeling “so torn to have to support Somerset because even the sun knows it’s best in the west!“Have a great and safe holiday Bermy,” he added.Ann Spencer-Arscott, the director of the Bermuda Red Cross, said she most enjoyed relaxing with family and friends or sitting off doing nothing over the holiday.“The worst part is the heat,” she said. “I am ashamed to say that I have never been to Cup Match and I am only put off because of the heat and the crowds.”Some like Vejay Steede, one of the organisers of the annual Soca Versus Reggae Cup Match-After Party, couldn’t think of any bad parts of the Cup Match holiday.But he had no problem reflecting on the great parts of the tradition and said: “The best part of Cup Match is the game, hands down. It’s the best atmosphere possible within these shores, and it occurs for two wonderful midsummer days every year.“You go to the field. You get an order of fish. You find a camp to set a spell in. You watch three Somerset batsmen get bowled out. You make plenty of noise. You see a St George’s Colt get a half-century, and all is perfect in the world!”The Soca Versus Reggae After Party was another of his favourite parts of the holiday, he said.Avid gardener, Sally Godet, said she most loved the buzz around the Island at this time of year. “Everyone wants to have fun — for us in Paget it is listening to the late night concerts from over the water in either Barr’s Bay Park or Queen Elizabeth Park. I cannot wait for them this Cup Match!”Lizz Pimentel, founder of In Motion dance school, said the best part was the lead up to the holiday when almost everyone is in high spirits.She said: “The anticipation seems to put everyone in a better mood and the Island really feels like we could come together and make Bermuda a truly wonderful place to live. Another great part about Cup Match is the sense of joy in the air and an almost carnival atmosphere. Locals are happy; visitors are excited; it’s a great time to be a Bermudian.“The worst part about Cup Match is the heat. I feel like the sun must be a cricket fan and comes just a little closer for a better view. To me it’s always the hottest few days of the year!”Karla Lacey, of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute (BHI), said she was looking forward to socialising over good food eaten outdoors with family and friends. “Equally best is time spent on and in the water,” she said.“The worst parts? Hot tempers mixed with heavy traffic and high temperatures.” Also, the lack of civility on the roads seem to get worse during the holiday season, as does the long lines for the ladies bathrooms at public events, she said.Wendy Davis Johnson, a communications consultant, said she loved how much Bermudians really commit to their teams.“It’s for life,” she said. “There’s nothing innocent about red and blue at Cup Match. [For me the worse part of the holiday is] not understanding cricket. I’m tongue tied for two days.”Kimberley Zuill, Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said: “The best part is that pretty much all of Bermuda is in a good mood no matter what team they support or what activity they are enjoying. The worst is when showers stall the game at critical moments (even correctly forecast ones!) although I hear that is when de Crown and Anchor gets real exciting.”Robyn Hooper, from Masterworks, said: “For me, the best part is the camaraderie. I love that two strangers can be united over supporting the same team and even the playful banter of opposing teams. I love that there is an Island wide celebration that we ready for all year long. Also, the camping! I look forward to camping for days, and enjoying the food cooked over homemade barbecues.“The worst part is that some people have to work over the holiday. Everyone should be off enjoying time with their families,” she said.St Clair “Brinky” Tucker said the best part of Cup Match was being selected to play for St George’s and getting a wicket on the third ball he bowled on the opening day of 1973 in St George’s.“When I attend the match, I enjoy chatting with former players and old friends who have returned home to see the match,” he said. “The worst experience is to observe some players and officials, during the past ten years, showing no respect for the history of the game. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy Cup Match.”