Tall Ships provided a scenic backdrop to the Queen's Birthday Parade yesterday -- the first of the new Millennium.

Hundreds of people lined Front Street to witness the spectacle.

Also present were a swarm of boats, whose owners were on hand to see the parade on land as well as the Parade of Sail with the departure of the Tall Ships.

Governor Thorold Masefield led the commanding officers of the Bermuda Regiment, Police and Fire services, Premier Jennifer Smith and many local dignitaries in saluting the Queen.

"Simply fabulous'' exclaimed visitor Wendy Haliwell from England.

And her husband Terry added, "It is wonderful to have the Tall Ships here at the same time as the parade. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.'' The parade was led by Major Larry Mussenden of the Bermuda Regiment on a beautiful sunny day with only occasional cloud cover offering temporary relief to those on parade.

Those participating in the parade included, the Bermuda Regiment, The Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, The Bermuda Police Service and Reserves, the Bermuda Fire Service, the Bermuda Cadet Corps, and the Bermuda Sea Cadets.

Politicians and other dignitaries gathered under the awning at the Flag Pole and awaited the arrival of other members of the celebration.

The first formal arrival of a dignitary was Chief Fire Officer, Reginald Rawlins, followed by the arrival of Commissioner of Police, Jean-Jacques Lemay.

The commanding officer of the Bermuda Regiment, Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge, then arrived, followed by the Deputy Mayor of Hamilton, Lawson Mapp and the Premier Jennifer Smith.

Finally the Governor, Thorold Masefield -- in white regalia, complete with plumed hat -- arrived at the Flag Pole with his party in a horse-drawn carriage.

The traditional ceremony featured a 21-gun salute from a Regiment cannon stationed at No. 7 dock, as well as the rapid fire of the "feu-de-jeu'' or fire of joy, honouring the head of State.

The Governor inspected troops on parade and also led everyone gathered -- soldiers and civilians alike -- in the traditional three cheers to mark the Queen's Birthday, this being her 74th year.

Significant moments were relayed to the crowd by a Regiment emcee -- these included the lowering of the Union flag and the Governor's standard.

Meanwhile, a Union Jack with a Bermuda Crest in the centre was raised.

The Queen's Symbolic presence was marked when her standard was raised and lowered at the height of the ceremony.

Two American visitors remarked: "It is wonderful to see British pomp and pageantry on a tropical Island in the middle of the ocean, and with the Tall ships here, it's just beautiful!'' Another couple were very enthusiastic about the activities of the past week: "We came down for the Tall Ships and there have been so many events going on.

We didn't know there was going to be a Parade for the Queen, but what the heck! It has all been great. The Parades and parties have kept us wonderfully entertained.'' The celebration ended when the Parade members joined ranks and marched back down Front Street, past the Cenotaph commemorating the Bermudian soldiers who gave their lives in the two World Wars, to the Cabinet Building where they were dismissed.

TALL SHIPS 2000: QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY PARADE Photos by Ras Mykkal and Tony Cordeiro All present and correct: On the immediate left, Governor Thorold Masefield inspects a member of the Bermuda Regiment on Front Street yesterday during the Queen's Birthday Parade and celebrations. Pictured far left: It's all hats off off during three cheers for the Queen. From left are Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge, Police chief Jean-Jacques Lemay, Fire chief Reginald Rawlins, ADC Wayne Smith and the Governor Thorold Masefield