The annual Christmas Boat Parade has been cancelled this year – to make sure next year's is bigger and better to help celebrate Bermuda's 400th anniversary.

The Parade is one of Bermuda's most popular Christmas events which usually takes place in early December with participants navigating their illuminated and decorated boats around Hamilton Harbour, while a jury selects the best decorated boats.

But Boat Parade Committee has decided to call off this year's event in order to allow Bermuda to prepare for what it hopes will be its most successful Boat Parade for the Island's 400th anniversary celebrations next year.

The event which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year often draws an audience of 15,000 spectators in Hamilton alone, but organisers have found that it is usually the same 10 to 12 entrants who take part.

In its inaugural year the parade 80 boats, but by its 10th anniversary the number had dropped to 44.

"We are taking a break this year so that we can come back with gusto for Bermuda's 400th anniversary in 2009," said Steve Thomson, one of the event founders. "We want to encourage new participants to come forward for the 2009 event."

He listed a number of ways in which to support the parade, such as entering a private or corporate boat, entering a rented boat, entering a boat as part of a church, charity or other group, or simply by sponsoring an individual or a group who wishes to enter the event.

The Boat Parade Committee can also help participants with advice on how to decorate the vessels as well as giving practical advice and or help with funding.