Bermuda Social Events Calendar for May 2008

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Bermuda Social Events Calendar for May 2008

Diary for visitors, by month, events and occasions

To refer to this web file, please use "bermuda-online.org/calendar.htm" as your Subject.

Many local organizations welcome visitors at their meetings. Please contact them directly in Bermuda Associations. Most are free but moderate entry fees apply in some cases.

May 2008

Public Holidays. Memorial Day in USA. Bermuda Day (24th) - first swim of the year for locals, plus Bermuda Heritage Day Parade. May 30 in Austria, Portugal. Notable days. Rogation Sunday. Ascension Day . Mother's Day. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot). Whit Sunday - Pentecost. National Day of Prayer (USA). National Nurses Day (USA). National Teachers Day (USA). Mother's Day (Bermuda and USA). Armed Forces Day (USA). Victoria Day (Canada). Trinity Sunday .

Bermuda Open Houses and Gardens 2008, May 7 to 21. A fabulous annual event, from members of the Garden Club of Bermuda. Fine homes and gardens to see and enjoy, inside and out! Many have antique furniture and interesting gardens. Bring cameras for (outdoor photos only).

Cruise Ship season officially begins. (Their passengers crowd buses during the day until the end of October). Harbour Nights festival (weekly on Wednesday evenings through October 8).

Bermuda Heritage month. Heritage Day Parade in Hamilton. Annual End to End Charity Pledge Walk & Bike Ride, Annual Reunion of Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps Overseas Association at Warwick Camp on first Saturday in May. Seniors Golf Amateur Championships. International Race Week Sailing ends. Saddle Club of Bermuda annual show. Bermuda Day half marathon.

Pembroke Parish

Gombey Competition. Open Golf Tournament. Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Races.

End-to-End Race by Swan's Running Club.
Beach Party, 12 noon to 5 pm at Sonesta/Cross Bay Beach.
VIP School Outreach Tours of Hotels.
Island-wide Clean Up Week.
St. George's Visitor Appreciation Day.
Harbour Nights in Hamilton and (on Tuesdays) Market Nights in St. George's. Front Street Bed Race.
Student Essay Contest Winners.
Hotelier of the Year Award Banquet and Overall VIP Bermuda Sunshine Award.

June 2008

Queen's Birthday public holiday in Bermuda. Father's Day (USA and UK). Events include:

Harbour Nights festival (weekly on Wednesday evenings to early October). Pomander Gate Tennis Tournament. Port Royal Tennis Championships. Karate Championships. Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Races. Hurricane season begins. Glow worms begin shining in the ocean at night.

Annual Fish Chowder Festival, St. George's.

Yacht race starts from USA. A classic. Held every other year.

Bermuda Society of Arts Summer Members Show. Father's Day. Round the Island Seagull Race.

Rubber Duck Derby, race between Ordnance Island and White Horse restaurant; and Family Fun Fair, produced by Agape House & Friends of Hospice.

Hurricane season starts. Lasts until November 30. Forecasters predict more hurricanes this year than in previous years.

The Royal Gazette Annual Hole-in-One Golf Tournament, at Riddells Bay Golf Club. With many tournament merit prizes. Categories include Juniors 10 years and younger; Juniors 11-12 years; Juniors 13-17 years; Men's Open; Ladies Open; Driver Open; Seniors Open (Over 55 years). Those who succeed in getting a hole-in-1 become a member of The Royal Gazette Hole-in-1 Club.

Bank of Bermuda Foundation International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Ranking Junior Tournament.

Annual St. David's Island Indian Festival. It included native Americans from the Narragansett, Wampanoag, Mashantucket Pequots, Cherokee and other tribes.

Sandys Parish

July 2008

Canada Day in Canada.
Independence Day (4th) in USA.
Caribe 1500 race that docks at the St George's Dinghy club.
Bermuda Big Game Classic
July 14 in France.
Harbour Nights festival (weekly on Wednesday evenings through October 8).
Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Races.
Annual Bermuda Big Game Classic (fishing), sponsored by the US magazine Marlin.
Bermuda Regiment Annual Fishing Tournament
Annual Chef Search, with certification by American Culinary Federation.
Hurricane season.
5th Plein Air Sunday Painters Exhibition. A happy group of Sunday painters from around the island. Art Centre in Dockyard. Featured artists : Jonah Jones, Chris Marson, Marlene Jenson, Sheila head, Diana Amos, Jill Raine, Rhona Emmerson, Molly Godet, Margaret Potts, Chris Grimes, Diana Faries, Rosemary Glynn, Rick Marson, Mary Lamb, Jackie Kiefer, Joy Hayden, Mimi Colly, Pegi Burke and Emma Ingham –Dounouk.

Smith's Parish crest

August 2008

Public Holidays. Friendship Day (USA).

Notable days.

Harbour Nights festival (weekly on Wednesday evenings to October). Neosoul Festival. Non-Mariners Race by Society of Non-Mariners, at Mangrove Bay in Sandys Parish. Concert - in the Park - Victoria Park in City of Hamilton. Around the Island Boat Race. From Ferry Reach.

Bermuda Billfish Tournament. Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Races. Flybridge Tackle Junior Fishing Tournament. Trunk Island Swim. Around the Island Powerboat Race. Around the Island Sea Gull Race. Glow worms begin shining in the ocean. Festival of August Moon.

Annual Soca Fest with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires from Jamaica. Tiger Bay. Contact Eddy DeMello 441-295-4340.

Emancipation Day (First day of Cup Match Public Holiday)
Somer's Day (Second day of Cup Match Public Holiday). Two days of Cup Match cricket. Somerset in dark blue and red, St. George's in light blue and dark blue. See Public Holidays.

August 1 to November 30. Hurricane season.

Southampton Parish

5th Plein Air Sunday Painters Exhibition. A happy group of Sunday painters from around the island. Art Centre in Dockyard, until August 4. Featured artists : Jonah Jones, Chris Marson, Marlene Jenson, Sheila head, Diana Amos, Jill Raine, Rhona Emmerson, Molly Godet, Margaret Potts, Chris Grimes, Diana Faries, Rosemary Glynn, Rick Marson, Mary Lamb, Jackie Kiefer, Joy Hayden, Mimi Colly, Pegi Burke and Emma Ingham –Dounouk.

September 2008

Public Holidays. Labor Day (USA and Bermuda). Notable days. Patriot Day (USA). Grandparents Day (USA). Rosh Hashanah). Citizenship Day (USA). Yom Kippur (USA). Swimming ends for many Bermudians until May 24. Soccer season begins, cricket ends.

More events

Harbour Nights festival (weekly on Wednesday evenings to October).

Bermuda Jazz Festival at former Royal Naval Dockyard. Glow worms stop shining in the ocean. Last Fitted Dinghy Races until May. Lobster season starts. Annual Wahoo Tournament.

YouthNet Fun Charity Golf Tournament

International business Week

11th (in 2007) International Sand Sculpture Competition, Horseshoe Bay. By American professional sand sculptors Team Sandtastic, brought over to Bermuda by tourism chiefs to host a series of training clinics.

Bacardi Cup: Bermuda National Match Racing Championship, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton Harbour, Bermuda. Sailed in International One Design sloops.

Annual CD&P Grand Prix cycle race, Front Street. Exhilarating competition between some of the world’s best cyclists. The four-stage event attracted entries from 165 competitors in 2006 across four divisions and from nine different countries.

St. George's Parish

From now to November 30. Hurricane season.

October 2008

Bermuda Music Festival.
Annual Charity Golf Festival.
Clergy Appreciation Day (USA).
SPCA Expo & Fair - October 6th, 2007 at the Botanical Gardens. For further information call 236 7333 or email info@spca.bm
Columbus Day (USA).
National Boss Day (USA).
Sweetest Day (USA).
United Nations Day.
Bermuda Boarding School Fair. Secondary School Fair.
Tabletops charity fundraiser.
Ruark Insurance Advisors Annual Conference.
International Reinsurance Congress.
Bermuda Angle Conference.
Bermuda Bravery Association Awards.
Round-the-Sound Long Distance Swimming Race.
Sir John Cox Annual Yacht Race.
SPCA Animal Expo.
World Bird Count.
Harbour Nights festival (Wednesday evenings through October 8).
Bermuda Gold Cup, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton Harbor.
Bermuda Tattoo, Keep Yard, Dockyard, October 21-24. Bermuda Regiment is featured.
Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival.
October 1 to November 30. Hurricane season.
Bermuda International Open Golf Championships.
Bermuda Botanical Society Fall Festival.
Daylight Saving ends.
Halloween (31st).
From now to November 30. Hurricane season.

November 2008

Public Holidays.

12th November. Bermuda Public Holiday (Remembrance Day), Canada (Remembrance Day), France, USA (Veterans Day).

Notable days. Thanksgiving Day USA November 22 in 2007 (celebrated in Bermuda at restaurants serving visitors and with Annual American Thanksgiving Day Interfaith Service with US patriotic songs, hymns and readings by the Governor. Organizers include the American Society of Bermuda).

Dog Show at Bermuda Botanical Gardens. Cruise ship season ends. National Audubon Society of USA annual bird count (the Bermuda Audubon Society has participated for 28 years). Bermuda Culinary Arts Festival. World Rugby Classic in Bermuda. Conservation Weekend Annual Debbie Franklin Memorial Golf Tournament. Normally (but not in 2007) Speaker's Annual Dinner.

Annual Christmas Parade organized by Bermuda Jaycees.

Warwick Parish crest.

Candlelit Evening at Verdmont. Bermuda National Trust.

December 2008

Captain John Smith

Public Holidays. Christmas Day (25th) in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA. December 26 in Australia (Boxing Day), Austria, Bermuda (Boxing Day), Canada (Boxing Day), Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland.

Annual Festival of Lights.
British style Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society Christmas pantomime, very much a part of the Christmas tradition. It is always a sell-out. Based on the UK pantomime tradition, it has a plot, jokes, political asides, costumes galore and fun. .
Bermuda Festival 2009 tickets available. .
Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout.
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) Christmas 2006 Boat Parade & Fireworks Extravaganza, E-mail boatparade@ibl.bm.

Captain John Smith

Also

Bermuda's national daily newspaper The Royal Gazette annual, very popular, Christmas Short Story with a Christmas and Bermuda traditions theme. It is an annual writing competition - open to all residents, adults and those under 18. Cash prizes are presented in three categories, under -13s, under-18s and adults. There is a Bermuda $400 first prize for winners, $250 for runners up, $125 to those with exceptional promise regardless of category and certificates for honorable mentions. Entries from adults and youngsters are published in the Christmas Eve edition. Hundreds of stories are judged, from adults and children. Each year the judges look for vivid local Christmas themes and local references, content, correct spelling, correct grammar and punctuation. Entries must be typed and should not exceed 1,500 words. Manuscripts must be submitted to The Royal Gazette clearly marked, “Christmas Short Story Contest”, and indicating the category entered. Whether it is an adult entry or an under 18 entry must also be indicated. Stories may be fiction or non-fiction. Manuscripts may be submitted by hand in the drop-off box in the lobby of The Royal Gazette, by mail to "Christmas Short Story Contest", The Royal Gazette, PO Box HM1025, Hamilton HM DX, or by e-mail. The full name, address and telephone number of the author must be given. Pen names will not be accepted. Stories received after the deadline will not be considered. A panel of judges decide the winning entries which will be published in The Royal Gazette's Christmas Greetings Supplement on Christmas Eve. The Royal Gazette reserves the right to publish any or all of the stories submitted.

January 2009

Named after Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways.

Public Holidays. New Year's Day (1st) in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA. Epiphany (6th) in Austria, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observed in USA (3rd Monday in January). Australia Day in Australia. Notable days. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (actual).

Harness racing. Kwanza ends. Gombeys dance. Bermuda Festival (evenings) begins - January (to March with performing artists from around the world. Bermuda Full and Half Marathons. Front Street Invitational Mile. Bermuda Full and Half Marathons.

City of Hamilton crest

Bermuda International Race Weekend. 3-day event including Bermuda Invitational Front Street Mile, Bermuda International Marathon and Half Marathon and Bermuda International 10K and 10K Charity Walk.

February 2009

Coolest month.

Bermuda Festival continues in evenings, with performing artists from around the world.

Black History Education month.

Bermuda Budget Day.

PLP Founders Day (Bermuda).

Loquats ripen.

Princess to Princess Road Race.

Bermuda Society of Arts annual photographic show.

Bermuda Bridal Fair. Bermuda Regional Bridge Championships at Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, with 250 visitors from USA and Canada.

Devonshire Parish crest

Bermuda Heart Foundation and its community partners the Cardiac Resource Group and ICD/Pacemaker Support Group present Heart Month Events and Information sessions.

For more information or additional details on other Events and presentations during February Heart Month 2008 contact Bermuda Heart Foundation at 239-2052 or email Doreen Blee at dorblee@ibl.bm.

March 2009

St. David's Day, March 1
Hasty Pudding Theatricals, from Harvard University. March 26 through March 29. 45th annual visit to Bermuda in 2008. First came in 1963. Oldest theatrical company in North America. First began as a secret society in 1795. Sponsored by the Bermuda Government's Department of Tourism. Ticket prices and times and information at phone 295-1727.
Bermuda International Film Festival

St. Patrick's Day;

Mothering Sunday UK)..

Annual Calcutta Tennis Tournament, Coral Beach Club. Hamilton Mini Grand Prix Karting races. Bermuda Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, Mid Ocean Club. Bermuda Men's Amateur Golf Championship at Mid Ocean Club. International Woman's Day. Fifth Annual Ladies Pro-Golf Classic at Port Royal Golf Course. Bermuda Horse & Pony Association Spring Show at National Equestrian Centre. St. Patrick's Day Dinner at St. Patrick's Church. Emerald Isle Society Dinner Dance and imported Irish entertainment. Evian 10-mile Road Race. Bermuda Society of Arts Spring Members Show. International Dog Show. Lobster season ends. Bermuda Karting Club races at Southside, St. David's. Professional Bowlers Association Bermuda Southern Regional Tournament at Warwick Lane. Bacardi Seniors Tennis Tournament at Pomander Gate Tennis Club. Show Jumping Challenge, National Equestrian Centre.

Hamilton Parish crest

April 2009

Notable days. April Fools Day (1st). Daylight Savings Time begins in North America and Bermuda. Good Friday. Easter Sunday. Proper (not "official") Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (21st). Earth Day (22nd). Secretaries Day in USA. Arbor Day.

Spring Into The Arts festival. Annual RIMS conference, Chicago. Daylight Savings Time began. Passover. Soccer season ends, cricket begins. International Race Week Sailing begins.

XL Capital Bermuda Open Tennis Championship at Coral Beach Tennis Club Bermuda International Film Festival, BIFF. Bermuda Annual Exhibition (3 days) - formerly the Ag Show - at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, fee for admission. Bermuda Philharmonic Spring Concert. Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's. Harbour Nights festival begins weekly on Wednesday evenings to October).

Bermuda Masters Squash. . Bermuda’s most elite sporting event.

Ross Blackie Talbot Charity Classic Golf.

Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference.

Paget Parish crest