It’s time to enter floats for the Bermuda Day Parade, and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has issued a reminder that any kind of material can be used to build one.

Artists and novices alike were invited to use sculptures, murals, recycled artwork and other decorations as well as the traditional flowers.

The “upcycled” category was launched last year for floats constructed of used materials and objects destined for trash, and Heather Whalen, director of the department, said that floats could be “as small as bicycles, box carts, scooters, or cars and as large as flatbeds on trucks”.

“There is also now an ‘Art’ float category which can be either a collection of art works displayed, a painted mural, or sculpture. This entry can be a walking entry (carrying artwork) or a vehicle entry. It provides a chance for artists to show off their work to a captive audience of thousands and is a lovely project for a school art class or team building exercise for local businesses.”

Float builders can also still enter in the traditional “Natural Heritage” float category, which encourages the use of local flora.

Some suggested materials include flowers, leaves, bark, fruits, vegetables, seeds, rice, beans, lentils, peas, nuts, egg shells, banana fibre, and burlap.

No endemic plants should be cut, but may be used when potted.

All floats, regardless of the category, must be related to the Heritage Month 2017 theme of “Our Sporting Heritage”.

“The 2017 Heritage Month theme is a celebration of Bermudian sporting heroes and Bermuda’s favourite sports and games,” Mrs Whalen said.

“Whether you reflect on Bermuda’s nautical beginnings and current historic hosting of the America’s Cup, if you are a fan of football, or if you hit sixes at cricket, there is no denying the passion that sport inspires. Even amateur marble players, rope jumpers, and traditional game participants are part of the storied legacy of Bermuda’s sports.”

The Department is also seeking entries for the Music Truck Group, Walking Group and Gombey Group.

All Music Truck entries are generally musicians, dance groups, majorettes, or community groups that have a truck for music but do not enter the designed float categories.

Walking Groups are generally community organisations, churches, youth groups, majorettes with a band but no truck, unions, or charities that submit a group of individuals walking with a banner but no vehicle.

Gombey Group Entries are Gombey groups with no vehicles.

Applications for the parade are due on April 21.

Float awards are given as follows:

• Natural Heritage Float- 1st

• Natural Heritage Float- 2nd

• Natural Heritage Float- 3rd

• Upcycled Float- 1st

• Upcycled Float — 2nd

• Upcycled Float — 3rd

• Art Float- 1st

• Art Float — 2nd

• Art Float — 3rd

• Premier’s Award for Best Float (Open for all 3 float categories)

• Reggie Ming Award for Most Beautiful Float (Open for all 3 float categories)

• Minister’s Award for Most Original Float (Open for all 3 float categories)

• Ruth Thomas Award for Best Heritage Float (Open for Natural Heritage float category)

• Dr Kenneth E Robinson Award for Best Primary School Float

• Dr J Williams Award for Best Middle School Float

• Dr Marjorie Bean Award for Best High School Float

• Mrs JJ Outerbridge Award for Best Individual Float

• LCCA Award for Best Charity Float

• Chamber of Commerce Award for Best Corporate Float

• Best Government Department

For more information, contact Carlita Lodge, Cultural Affairs Programme Manager at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs at 292-1681 or visit http://communityandculture.bm/pages/bermuda-day for more information.