to 5,000 revellers celebrated the city's birthday in style.

Caribbean sounds filled the air as top musicians from around the Island entertained the crowd from a stage on Front Street by the Flagpole.

Yesterday's bicentennial events, kicking off a week of celebration, started with the sound of church bells at 1 p.m. As dinghy races off Albuoy's Point got under way, a gleaming parade of about 100 old and unusual vehicles left City Hall and headed for Front Street.

Announced by a siren on the fire service's oldest truck, the parade made its way to Number One Shed, where enthusiasts could get a closer look.

The parade featured historic forms of Bermudian transport including buggies and carriages built up to 100 years ago. A Solex moped and a selection of Morris, Hillman and Singer cars were other veteran participants.

State of the art convertibles and sports cars brought up the rear. "People were wonderful -- they clapped and shouted and when we got to Front Street it was thrilling,'' said 1958 Austin Cambridge owner Mrs. Iris Davis.

Later in the afternoon dozens of boats, ranging from luxury yachts to kayaks and rubber dinghys, thronged the harbour.

The pilot-rescue boat St. David was the star of the flotilla as she gave a spray display from two high-pressure fire service hoses.

Soon afterwards, Warwick United majorettes and the Warwick Band heralded the Bank of Butterfield Caribbean Music Festival.

Those taking part included Choy's Carnival Costumes, Hubert Smith, Gene Steede, Reuben McCoy, the Bermuda Strollers and Tony Brannon.

Artists battled to produce the best specially-written song, and limbo dancers and the H & N Gombeys added to the excitement. "It really is a good fun gathering,'' said Bank of Butterfield chief general manager Mr. Michael Collier. "You see young kids, older people and even senior citizens having fun.'' Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall was also there. "It's always exciting to see Bermudians and tourists from all walks of life just getting together and freeing up.'' And mother and daughter Kathryn and Kristen Rehrig, visitors from Pennsylvania, added: "It's wonderful. We've had a wonderful time.'' "We had so many people come to the concert that it was difficult to accommodate everybody,'' said Corporation of Hamilton spokesman Mr. Roger Sherratt. "But everybody seemed to have a good time. It was a success and we're looking forward to Monday's lunchtime concert on the steps of City Hall.'' FESTIVE FRONT STREET -- Thousands of revellers last night partied along to a musical celebration of Hamilton's 200th birthday, Caribbean-style. Gene Steede was just one of the top names on the bill.