Santa and the rest of the Christmas Parade were late getting underway this year but it didn't appear to be a problem — until a sudden heavy shower of rain sent spectators dashing for cover.

"This happens every year," commented one onlooker as she cowered beneath a festively lit tree. "They should have started the parade on time."

Others found a new use for their foldaway chairs by holding them upside-down above their heads as makeshift umbrellas.

Fortunately the shower was short-lived, and though it was followed by a few more brief showers it wasn't enough to put off the thousands of people who lined the streets of Hamilton to watch the annual spectacle as Christmas floats, majorettes and bands and even a few Gombeys entertained in the gathering dusk of late Sunday afternoon.

Children danced and played on the traffic-free streets as they waited for the delayed parade and then scrambled for candies thrown from the passing floats and by helpers who walked alongside the parade carrying bags of treats.

It took more than an hour for the parade to pass along Front Street and loop around to Court Street and Church Street.

Malika Watson, who along with Chantal Dowing co-ordinated the parade, said: "There were some delays because of the rain with people jumping out of line (for shelter) and having to reform. But it went well overall."

Each of the majorette troupes had its own distinctive costumes. The Warwick United majorettes and drummers came dressed as presents, the Pembroke Hamilton Club group floated along as lilac butterflies, the St. George's Original Dancerettes came as Santa's elves while the Ex-Artillery Elites and Band put on Santa -style costumes.

But it was the Prospect Twirlers and Ensemble Band that created the biggest buzz amongst the crowd with their Santa trouser-suit outfits being admiringly commented upon by many spectators.

In the parade lead vehicles were the 2006 Glamorous Grandmother and Little Miss Teen Bermuda. Also on show were the immaculately turned-out bikes of the Long Riders and the "Biker Babes", including three dressed as Lady Santas.

The Market Place had at least five floats in the parade, while the BGA wholesale distributors' float caught many eyes with its inflatable fairground carousel ride.

Everyone was waiting to see Santa, and the big man didn't disappoint as he arrived at the end of the parade wishing everyone season's greetings and happy holidays as his helpers dished out some more lollies and candies for youngsters who had sat by the roadside for two hours waiting to see him.

The parade was organised by the Bermuda Junior Chamber and its sponsors Market Place.