weekend.

Thousands of people gathered on Ordnance Island and in King's Square in St.

George's on Saturday to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Corporation of St.

George's.

And bicentennial committee member E. Michael Jones yesterday called the event an "enormous success''.

"We had a lot of people attend, well over 2,000 in total I believe,'' Mr.

Jones said. "There was a steady flow of people, around 300 to 400 people at any given time. There were lots of kids and families.

"The Deliverance was free to the public so it was packed. The rain held off until quarter to four, just as we were finishing the cycle competition.'' St. George's mayor Henry Hayward echoed Mr. Jones' comments, saying the afternoon downpour was the only damper to an otherwise perfect day.

"There was only one problem and that was the rain which fell about 3.45 p.m.

and sort of chased everyone away,'' Mr. Hayward said. "But before that we had a great turnout, a lot of residents showed up.'' The old fashion bazaar also featured Gombeys, gospel singers, a Police motorcycle display and food stalls.

Ordnance Island was home to most of the bicentennial events which paid tribute to the organisations like churches, the youth and the service organisations which have contributed to St. George's The Corporation of St. George's was founded in 1797, 185 years after the town, named after St. George -- the patron saint of England -- was established.

The Corporation has been responsible for the administration of the town's business for the last 200 years.

Mr. Jones said the bicentennial celebrations will continue in the autumn with the October 4, Palmetto Berry Ball on Ordnance Island. There will also be a St. George's photography competition, he added.