of Hamilton to enjoy a parade meant to spread some pre-Christmas cheer.

The streets of Hamilton were blocked off between 4.30 and 6.30 p.m. to allow Santa and his reindeer to travel from City Hall to Par-la-Ville to Court Street.

Bermuda's Most Glamourous Granny Viola Rogers and Little Miss Paradise Chan DelValle headed up the parade.

This year's parade featured music by local band "A Piece of the Rock'' and six majorette groups. Some of the majorettes and drummers, including one group with silver outfits and white cotton beards, had costumes made especially for the event.

And the parade had its fair share of commercial sponsors, as well -- in addition to standard Christmas characters like Donner and Blitzen, there were a few slightly more incongruous characters atop the floats like the Keebler Elf, Captain Crunch and an M&M.

But children's eyes were aglow when the man of the hour -- Santa Claus himself -- along with Place's New Generation Gombey troupe finished off the parade.