The Olde Towne rung in the new year in true Bermudian style, with thousands gathering in St George to celebrate the dawn of 2024.

King’s Square, already brightly illuminated for the holiday season, became awash with colour, vibrant dance rhythms and a sense of fun, as revellers both young and old came out for one of the island’s biggest parties of the year.

Quinell Francis, the Mayor of St George, kicked off the celebrations by welcoming residents and visitors.

Declaring that the evening was a night for “friends, guests, and anyone seeking an authentic experience, to unite”, Ms Francis said: “Welcome everyone to our beautiful Town of St George.

“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Corporation of St George — the council, and the staff — to say welcome, welcome, welcome.”

Ms Francis said the council had been working since its election last May to make the evening a success. She also thanked staff who had made the town “look super once again”.

“I’ve heard many times this month from people who have come down to enjoy St George say how wonderful it looks, so thank you to the staff of the Corporation of St George,” she said.

“It wasn’t an easy task this year. As everybody knows, we were paving the roads and also making sure we were getting our town ready for December 2023.

“As we reflect – and many of us have lost loved ones and many of us have had challenges during 2023 — I pray that as we go forward, we remember our loved ones and remember the challenges that we have had, and that we will go forward better people in 2024.

“Thank you once again, enjoy the festivities, and we look forward to 2024 when we bring down the onion. Welcome to St George everyone.”

That message of unity and optimism set the mood for the evening. It was maintained by master of ceremonies and deejay Nadanja Bailey, and picked up by The Wallstreet Band, who played a high-energy and eclectic set that had the crowd bouncing for close to two hours before midnight.

The corporation had earlier highlighted how the annual event was “a launch pad for small businesses to gain national exposure through vending”.

Last night a host of vendors located around the perimeter of the square took advantage of that launch pad, and were doing a brisk trade.

Dennon Bean, of the Dandy Donuts stall, took time out from his deep fryer to tell The Royal Gazette: “It’s been an amazing turnout this year. I would say even better than last year.

“Everyone seems to be here. It’s been a very good night.”

A queue was still forming at the hatch of the Hot Dog Delight fast-food truck as the last minutes of 2023 ebbed away.

“I’ve lost count of the number of hot dogs we’ve gone through tonight,” a tired but still-smiling server said.

The evening also proved good business for established bars and restaurants.

Dennie O’Connor, owner of The White Horse Tavern, confirmed that his restaurant was fully-booked for the night.

But he insisted that the evening was more about promoting the potential of the town rather than bolstering his own business’s bottom line.

He said: “Yes, we’re having a fantastic night so far. We’re sold out.

“But it’s just such a good vibe out there for everyone. Everyone is really relaxed. Everyone is having a great time. We’re all enjoying ourselves. This is what St George can achieve.”

As the clock edged towards midnight, more revellers were drawn to the town’s hub to witness the highlight of the night — the dropping of a giant onion. There was barely any room for standing room.

The emcee led the ten-second countdown, which concluded with cheers and shouts of “Happy New Year”.

As the sound of a lone saxophonist’s melancholic rendition of Auld Lang Syne faded into the night, Mr Bailey said: “And just like that, I want to say happy 2024 to everyone in St George’s right now.

“We have nine parishes in Bermuda. But out of all nine, they call this one God’s country,” he told the crowd.

Their reaction suggested that, for this one night of the year at least, they were in full agreement.

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