The Christmas Boat Parade is set for Saturday, with the quota of 50 entries filled as of yesterday afternoon.

?We?re delighted,? said organiser Jim Butterfield. ?We had 49 this morning and then a guy called saying he was a usual entry, he just hadn?t gotten his forms in, and that put us at 50.?

The parade will begin at 6.30 p.m., he said, so spectators both on land and sea should be in their places by 6 p.m. if they want to get a good view.

The parade will start at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and travel along Albuoy?s Point turning in slightly towards the flagpole. From there the boats will proceed towards D?Mikado?s restaurant, then turn across the harbour towards Harbour Road which they will follow towards Darrell?s Wharf, before turning north back across the harbour towards Pitts Bay and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess once more.

The best spots to watch the parade by boat are on the outside of the circuit, not the inside, as many of the boats are only decorated on one side. Boats can tie up along the Hamilton docks or anchor slightly further out, and Darrell?s Wharf is another good vantage point ? however Mr. Butterfield stressed people be in position by 6 p.m. at latest, as Police will be shutting down the harbour as much as possible after that time.

Spectators on land will find their best vantage points at Albuoy?s Point, on Front Street and along Harbour Road. The fireworks, sponsored by XL Capital, will start around 8 p.m., after the boats have completed two circuits.

?People can still enter, we?ll probably take them up until Friday,? said Mr. Butterfield. Application forms are available at www.bermudaboatparade.com, or at Mailboxes Unlimited on Par-la-Ville Road, in Hamilton. Owners can also telephone 295-0530 to receive a faxed entry form.