If there is one celebration that brings all of Bermuda’s people together, it is Cup Match, and after a sometimes fractious few months people are looking forward to a sense of unity.

Whether from Somerset or St George’s, they want to take a break from the stress, bust out their colours and spend time with the ones they love.

The Royal Gazette hit the streets to find out what the two-day holiday means to residents, whether it be camping, boating, partying, cricket or celebrating the founding principle on which the event rests: the anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

Chef at Nonna’s Kitchen Ryan Lompano, a Somerset resident and staunch supporter of the red and blue side, said that Cup Match is time to celebrate the rich heritage Bermuda has to offer.

“I’ve lived in the West End for about eight years now; I lived in town [Hamilton] my whole life before that,” he said. “I just fell in love with the West End. I love all the beautiful beaches and the South Shore.

“Cup Match is about coming together and celebrating Bermuda’s cultures and traditions. I usually fly away during the holidays but I always stay in Bermuda for Cup Match — everyone is in such a great mood and partying. “I enjoy the set of events around Cup Match: the game, Non-Mariners. Cup Match is a time to forget all the fighting and take a break — it’s not about PLP or OBA, it’s just about red and blue, and blue and blue. But mainly red and blue!”

Najuri Simmons, manager at clothing store Sisley, is a diehard St George’s fan but her shop window showed no bias with the colours of both teams on display.

“I think it makes people happy to see the colours in the windows and it brings the customers in,” she said.

“My family is from St George’s. I love Cup Match because it brings everyone together. We get a little break, we go camping. I love it when we all come together — we forget all the bad stuff.”

Jessie Ewart left no guesses as to who her team was as she rocked her blue dyed hair and bright red skirt.

Her reason for supporting Somerset was simple: “We are the best. My mom was born and raised in Somerset. I love Cup Match for all the festivities and that whole Cup Match atmosphere: everyone is so friendly. We need this now.”

Debra Tucker was spotted in an immaculate blue business dress complete with light blue flower and St George’s accessories.

“I’ve been St George’s all my life,” she said. “My family comes from St George’s, though some of them split off when we got older.

“My sister is for Somerset but me, my brother and my older sister are for St George’s and the offspring tend to follow their parents.

“Cup Match is about family and it’s time to wind down before the second part of the year. When we were younger, all the family would get together and go to the game and go to the beach; we still get together now.

“I never try to predict who will win. One team might look good on paper but what makes the difference is the performance on the day. I do hope St George’s takes the Cup home.”

Juan DeSilva was getting into his maintenance truck which had a flag for Somerset and a flag for St George’s.

He explained: “Some people see the flags and they think I am confused but one is for me and the other is for my wife. When I came to Bermuda in the 1970s I lived in Somerset so that has always been my team. But my wife is from St George’s. My real team is Portugal as I am a football supporter.”