Corporation of Hamilton common councillor Mr. Lawson Mapp sets his sights high as a sign-writer.

In fact, at least 30 feet up! For over the last few days Mr. Mapp has been clambering up scaffolding outside the City Hall to practise his craft.

His task? To repaint the City's crest in bright gold, green, grey and blue for Hamilton's 200th anniversary celebrations.

And for Mr. Mapp it brings back happy memories as a teenager.

"In 1960 I went up there as an apprentice to do the sign-writing for the crest,'' he said yesterday. "It was last touched in 1984.'' One requirement for the job is a head for heights.

"It's not something I really think about,'' said the former MP. "It doesn't bother me working so high up, just so long as the scaffolding is safe.'' Hamilton will come alive this weekend with parades and festivities as the Corporation kicks off a week of celebrations marking the capital's 200th birthday.

The Corporation is aiming to involve the entire community and highlight all areas of the city.

Churches will herald the start of a full day of bicentenary celebrations on Sunday morning by ringing their bells and holding special services.

In the afternoon, old and new vehicles, including 19th Century carriages, fire trucks, vintage cars and the best of Bermuda's modern vehicles, will parade through city streets.

Festivities then take to the water with a special fitted dinghy race in Hamilton Harbour.

There will be a 1 p.m. line start and the races can be viewed from Albuoy's Point, where there will be a live commentary about the race and its history.

At 5 p.m., a flotilla of dinghies and yachts, led by a pilot boat providing a water spray show, will sail past Hamilton's waterfront before a Caribbean calypso concert featuring Bermuda's best calypso singers, steel bands, limbo dancers and Gombeys gets underway.

The Bank of Butterfield-sponsored concert will also feature the crowning of Hamilton's 1993 Calypso King or Queen.

HIGH ART -- Corporation of Hamilton common councillor Mr. Lawson Mapp adds a finishing touch to the repainting of the City Hall crest.