Rainbows adorned Front Street last night as Bermuda Pride festivities kicked off with a “takeover” of Harbour Nights.

Thousands of people gathered to sample food, peruse dozens of vendor booths and enjoy the atmosphere.

Marcus “Tizzebra” Smith, who formally started the celebrations, said he was overjoyed by the turnout and to be back on the island to celebrate his first Bermuda Pride.

“I am so grateful to play such a huge part in Bermuda Pride and I am so glad I was given the privilege to welcome everyone to our first Bermuda Pride event at Harbour Nights,” he said.

“There is so much love in the space already. I’m so happy to see my friends out here, my mom and my brother are here and I am so grateful to see so many in the community really come out for us.”

Mr Smith said growing up in Bermuda, he never imagined the island would host its own Pride event.

“We have made huge steps in the right direction,” he added.

Adrian Hartnett-Beasley, a member of the OutBermuda board of directors, said he was thrilled by the number of people who came out for Harbour Nights.

“I have been told anecdotally from people that it has been one of the busiest nights this summer,” he said.

“A lot of vendors and a lot of retail stores around town are showing their pride by putting up rainbows.”

Liz Thompson, from New York, said that she had not expected Bermuda to be holding Pride events when she was on the island but that it was a pleasant surprise.

“We wrapped up our Pride earlier this summer, so this is really just a bonus second Pride for us,” she said. “If I had known I would have packed more rainbows.

“Pride is always a great chance to celebrate who we are and who we love and the struggle we have had to get where we are.”