Latest news with #Bermudians
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is Bermuda Day? Get a front row seat to Bermuda's culture and celebration
Bermuda Day, a holiday held on the fourth Friday in May each year in Bermuda, kicks off the island's start of summer and marks the rise in water and air temperatures, signaling to Bermudians that it's acceptable to swim in the ocean. An all-day celebration takes place, not just to signify the warm weather, but to celebrate the island's cultural heritage. What Bermuda Day celebrates After decades of civil unrest and protest, which reached a climax in 1977, a Royal Commission was created to understand the unrest. A decision was made to change a holiday that traced its roots to Queen Victoria's birthday—and was previously known as Empire Day and then became Commonwealth Day—to Bermuda Day. The first Bermuda Day Heritage Parade was held on May 24, 1979, to celebrate Bermudian culture and promote civic pride. 'What was once a commemoration of the island's colonial ties and a recognition of the reach of the British Empire has been transformed into a quintessentially Bermudian celebration of our heritage, resilience, unity, and culture,' says Jamari Douglas, vice president of marketing, public relations, and communications for the Bermuda Tourism Authority. 'Today, Bermuda Day is embraced island-wide as a celebration of Bermuda's community of diverse people and cultures that have blended together over centuries to create the island we call home.' How to celebrate Bermuda Day Over time, residents realized that one day was not enough time to celebrate the culture of Bermuda's people, so the entire month of May became Heritage Month. Almost every day in May, visitors can find events that celebrate Bermuda's heritage, from jazz performances to art showcases to curated historical tours. 'Last year Long Story Short , a local tour company, partnered with Gosling's , a Bermuda rum and beverage company," says Douglas, "to host 'History with a Twist,' inviting participants on a tour of 18th-century buildings in the Town of St. George where attendees were treated to a signature craft cocktail made with locally sourced ingredients while learning about the history of the site." On the fourth Friday of May, the Bermuda Day festivities begin around 8:00 a.m., with the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race, explains Tim Rogers, a Bermuda resident of 41 years who leads educational travel programs for Road Scholar. At 8:30 a.m., the Bermuda Half Marathon Derby begins. It is a 13.1-mile running race that's been held since 1909, making it Bermuda's oldest race. The race starting line alternates each year between the east and west ends of the island, ending in the City of Hamilton, Bermuda's capital. This annual event is only open to Bermuda residents, but tourists and locals cheer them on from the sidelines, explains Rogers, and hotels can tell tourists where to find the best viewing spots. 'They've got their deck chairs and their umbrellas parked off on the side of the road, and there's music blaring. It really does have a great vibe to it,' says Rogers. After the race, everyone assembles in Hamilton to enjoy the parade, which starts at 1:30 p.m. and features dance groups, decorated floats, majorettes, and the Gombey troupes , who are the colorfully dressed masked dancers and drummers of Bermuda. The Gombey troupe's performances share stories of resistance that date back to before emancipation, such as the story of David and Goliath, and depict the resistance to enslavement, the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of liberty, explains Douglas. Dozens of colorful floats created by local charities and clubs fiercely compete for prizes. The parade route is interspersed with food stalls, some of which sell the island's signature dishes, like wahoo nuggets and fresh fish sandwiches. Residents who don't go to the parade can migrate to the East End by the water and watch the Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Race. The race marks the start of the dinghy season, which ends in September. 'Bermuda has a long heritage of ship design, and the sailboats in use today are held to the same dimensions and standards [that were] set in 1883: 14-feet-1-inch overall from stem to stern with no other limitations, often resulting in a very large sail area, which can be a majestic sight to behold,' says Douglas. Where to eat in Bermuda The Pickled Onion restaurant and bar : This eclectic restaurant overlooks the street and has balcony seating, which is great for eating local cuisine and watching the parade from the restaurant. 'Book a table in advance, so you don't miss out,' says Rogers. Bermuda Bistro at The Beach : Located on Front Street, this restaurant has a veranda where visitors can watch the parade and enjoy local food. Other recommendations include White Horse Pub & Restaurant , Lost in the Triangle , Mad Hatters , The Swizzle Inn , Tom Moore's Tavern , and Wahoo's Bistro & Patio, where tourists can enjoy Bermuda's famous fish chowder. Jaclyn Greenberg is a writer who has contributed to The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Wired and many others. She lives on the East Coast with her husband and three children.
National Geographic
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
This island has a month-long holiday celebration
Bermuda Day, a holiday held on the fourth Friday in May each year in Bermuda, kicks off the island's start of summer and marks the rise in water and air temperatures, signaling to Bermudians that it's acceptable to swim in the ocean. An all-day celebration takes place, not just to signify the warm weather, but to celebrate the island's cultural heritage. What Bermuda Day celebrates After decades of civil unrest and protest, which reached a climax in 1977, a Royal Commission was created to understand the unrest. A decision was made to change a holiday that traced its roots to Queen Victoria's birthday—and was previously known as Empire Day and then became Commonwealth Day—to Bermuda Day. The first Bermuda Day Heritage Parade was held on May 24, 1979, to celebrate Bermudian culture and promote civic pride. 'What was once a commemoration of the island's colonial ties and a recognition of the reach of the British Empire has been transformed into a quintessentially Bermudian celebration of our heritage, resilience, unity, and culture,' says Jamari Douglas, vice president of marketing, public relations, and communications for the Bermuda Tourism Authority. 'Today, Bermuda Day is embraced island-wide as a celebration of Bermuda's community of diverse people and cultures that have blended together over centuries to create the island we call home.' How to celebrate Bermuda Day Over time, residents realized that one day was not enough time to celebrate the culture of Bermuda's people, so the entire month of May became Heritage Month. Almost every day in May, visitors can find events that celebrate Bermuda's heritage, from jazz performances to art showcases to curated historical tours. 'Last year Long Story Short , a local tour company, partnered with Gosling's , a Bermuda rum and beverage company," says Douglas, "to host 'History with a Twist,' inviting participants on a tour of 18th-century buildings in the Town of St. George where attendees were treated to a signature craft cocktail made with locally sourced ingredients while learning about the history of the site." On the fourth Friday of May, the Bermuda Day festivities begin around 8:00 a.m., with the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race, explains Tim Rogers, a Bermuda resident of 41 years who leads educational travel programs for Road Scholar. At 8:30 a.m., the Bermuda Half Marathon Derby begins. It is a 13.1-mile running race that's been held since 1909, making it Bermuda's oldest race. The race starting line alternates each year between the east and west ends of the island, ending in the City of Hamilton, Bermuda's capital. This annual event is only open to Bermuda residents, but tourists and locals cheer them on from the sidelines, explains Rogers, and hotels can tell tourists where to find the best viewing spots. 'They've got their deck chairs and their umbrellas parked off on the side of the road, and there's music blaring. It really does have a great vibe to it,' says Rogers. After the race, everyone assembles in Hamilton to enjoy the parade, which starts at 1:30 p.m. and features dance groups, decorated floats, majorettes, and the Gombey troupes , who are the colorfully dressed masked dancers and drummers of Bermuda. The Gombey troupe's performances share stories of resistance that date back to before emancipation, such as the story of David and Goliath, and depict the resistance to enslavement, the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of liberty, explains Douglas. Dozens of colorful floats created by local charities and clubs fiercely compete for prizes. The parade route is interspersed with food stalls, some of which sell the island's signature dishes, like wahoo nuggets and fresh fish sandwiches. Residents who don't go to the parade can migrate to the East End by the water and watch the Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Race. The race marks the start of the dinghy season, which ends in September. 'Bermuda has a long heritage of ship design, and the sailboats in use today are held to the same dimensions and standards [that were] set in 1883: 14-feet-1-inch overall from stem to stern with no other limitations, often resulting in a very large sail area, which can be a majestic sight to behold,' says Douglas. Where to eat in Bermuda The Pickled Onion restaurant and bar : This eclectic restaurant overlooks the street and has balcony seating, which is great for eating local cuisine and watching the parade from the restaurant. 'Book a table in advance, so you don't miss out,' says Rogers. Bermuda Bistro at The Beach : Located on Front Street, this restaurant has a veranda where visitors can watch the parade and enjoy local food. Other recommendations include White Horse Pub & Restaurant , Lost in the Triangle , Mad Hatters , The Swizzle Inn , Tom Moore's Tavern , and Wahoo's Bistro & Patio, where tourists can enjoy Bermuda's famous fish chowder. How to do it When to Go: While festivities can be found throughout the month of May, Bermuda Day is officially celebrated on the fourth Friday in May, so check each year to make sure you have the right date. Getting There: Cruise ships board from the east coast and dock in the Royal Naval Dockyard. Direct flights are available from many main cities on the east coast, and the airport in Bermuda is about a half-hour taxi ride to Hamilton. Where to Stay: If traveling via cruise ship, tourists can sleep on board the ship. If traveling by plane, the island has many hotels such as the Granaway Guest House & Cottage, Azura , The Loren , and Rosewood Bermuda . Rogers recommends the Grotto Bay Beach Hotel , which is near the airport and a good place to watch the cyclists and runners. He also recommends the Hamilton Princess because tourists can walk 15 minutes to enjoy the parade. Note: Bermuda Day is the start of a holiday weekend, so shops, restaurants, stores, and public transportation may operate on a different, or reduced, schedule. Jaclyn Greenberg is a writer who has contributed to The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Wired and many others. She lives on the East Coast with her husband and three children.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bacardi Launches Hospitality Accelerator Program To Elevate Bermuda's Hospitality Professionals
Bacardi Empowers Industry Talent with World-Class Training and Career Development Opportunities HAMILTON, BM / / February 28, 2025 / Family-owned Bacardi, proudly announces the launch of its Hospitality Accelerator Program, an advanced training initiative designed to elevate industry professionals and strengthen Bermuda's hospitality sector. In collaboration with the Bermuda Government's Department of Workforce Development, Bacardi is introducing this next-level program tailored for bartenders already working in the industry, further reinforcing career development and industry growth. These enhancements stem from valuable feedback from industry partners, who recognized the opportunity to upskill existing bartenders and create stronger career pathways within their establishments. After two successful cohorts of the Shake Your Future program, a free professional bartender training program for underemployed and unemployed young adults created by Bacardi, the company is evolving its commitment to developing hospitality talent in Bermuda. For the first time, six leading hospitality establishments have partnered with Bacardi to support this year's cohort. Bartenders currently employed with Rock and Barrel, Grotto Bay, Hamilton Princess, the IRG Group, St. Regis, and The Loren have been nominated by their employers to participate in the program, reinforcing a commitment to developing in-house talent. On February 27, the selected participants will travel to London to attend the prestigious European Bartender School, where they will embark on an intensive six-week training program. The curriculum includes four weeks of advanced spirits education and mixology training, followed by two weeks of professional development workshops. Graduates will earn an internationally recognized diploma, equipping them with world-class expertise and leadership skills, positioning them as future leaders in Bermuda's hospitality industry. "The introduction of the Bacardi Hospitality Accelerator Program strengthens career pathways and ensures that participants receive world-class training while maintaining ties with their employers," said Douglas Mello, Bacardi Limited Managing Director. "By investing in our talent and collaborating directly with hospitality leaders, we are enhancing Bermuda's service industry and creating more opportunities for long-term professional growth." With Bermuda's hospitality industry anticipating an increase in demand for bartenders due to upcoming hotel openings, the Bacardi Hospitality Accelerator Program plays a critical role in addressing workforce shortages. The November 2023 Labour Force Survey Report highlights persistent unemployment challenges for young Bermudians, reinforcing the need for accessible, skill-based training programs. As Bermudians seek career advancement opportunities, Bacardi and the Department of Workforce Development are equipping young Bermudians with in-demand hospitality skills-enhancing their long-term employability in a competitive job market. "The Bacardi Hospitality Accelerator Program offers transformative opportunities, equipping Bermudians with world-class training in mixology, customer engagement, and bar management to advance their careers in the hospitality sector. This enhanced, employer-led approach ensures that participants gain internationally recognized certifications and secure real-world experience through structured employment commitments. Our ongoing collaboration with Bacardi highlights the strength of public-private partnerships and reinforces the Government's commitment to developing Bermuda's hospitality workforce and creating sustainable career opportunities," said the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, JP, MP About Bacardi Limited Bacardi Limited, the world's largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON'S® Scotch whisky, D'USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL'S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi-Martini, Inc. on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Bacardi-Martini, info@ SOURCE: Bacardi-Martini, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bermuda's center-left PLP wins third consecutive general election
By Don Burgess HAMILTON (Reuters) - Bermuda's center-left Progressive Labor Party (PLP) held on to government for its third consecutive general election on Tuesday night, losing four seats but retaining a comfortable majority even as a record number of candidates ran, many independently. PLP Premier David Burt has governed the overseas British territory, situated some 1,400 km (870 miles) off the U.S. coast in the North Atlantic, since winning the 2017 general election. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. It ended Tuesday's vote with 49.6% of votes compared to 36.9% for the center-right One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), winning 25 of the House of Assembly's 36 seats while the OBA snatched up the remaining 11 seats. A record 109 candidates ran in Tuesday's election, seen as a sign of dissatisfaction with the PLP alongside the 54.98% vote turnout - slightly below the 55% who turned out to vote during 2020's pandemic-hit general election. Burt, who stressed his party's support for residents in lower and middle-class tax brackets, said in a speech outside his party headquarters that PLP would focus on the high costs of living, expensive healthcare and reform the territory's education system. "Bermudians have chosen progress, fairness, and a PLP government that will deliver for you," he said. A group of independents, some under the banner of former United Bermuda Party (UBP) Premier Sir John Swan, received 9.2% of votes - and no seats - while the libertarian-leaning Free Democratic Movement (FDM) placed fourth with 3.8%. Swan was Bermuda's premier from 1982 through 1995, when he resigned after losing a referendum on independence, which he supported, as many voters abstained from the polls.
Reuters
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Bermuda's center-left PLP wins third consecutive general election
HAMILTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Bermuda's center-left Progressive Labor Party (PLP) held on to government for its third consecutive general election on Tuesday night, losing four seats but retaining a comfortable majority even as a record number of candidates ran, many independently. PLP Premier David Burt has governed the overseas British territory, situated some 1,400 km (870 miles) off the U.S. coast in the North Atlantic, since winning the 2017 general election. It ended Tuesday's vote with 49.6% of votes compared to 36.9% for the center-right One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), winning 25 of the House of Assembly's 36 seats while the OBA snatched up the remaining 11 seats. A record 109 candidates ran in Tuesday's election, seen as a sign of dissatisfaction with the PLP alongside the 54.98% vote turnout - slightly below the 55% who turned out to vote during 2020's pandemic-hit general election. Burt, who stressed his party's support for residents in lower and middle-class tax brackets, said in a speech outside his party headquarters that PLP would focus on the high costs of living, expensive healthcare and reform the territory's education system. "Bermudians have chosen progress, fairness, and a PLP government that will deliver for you," he said. A group of independents, some under the banner of former United Bermuda Party (UBP) Premier Sir John Swan, received 9.2% of votes - and no seats - while the libertarian-leaning Free Democratic Movement (FDM) placed fourth with 3.8%. Swan was Bermuda's premier from 1982 through 1995, when he resigned after losing a referendum on independence, which he supported, as many voters abstained from the polls.
