THE gloomy showers in the capital over the past week did little to assure Suva residents that the heavens would clear for Fiji Day celebrations.
But clear it did, allowing a full military parade, a mayoral salute and a 21-gun salute to carry on without as much as a raindrop.
And the crowd in Suva responded — taking advantage of the free bus rides and arriving in large numbers to be part of the morning march and witness the Military Parade.
Yesterday's celebrations were themed "Celebrate a United Fiji" and the city responded in style.
Decked out in their best Fiji-inspired costumes, business houses, government ministries and other private sector organisations turned up to mark the occasion with much pomp and ceremony.
Yesterday's celebrations saw the young and the young at heart come together at Albert Park to witness the climax of Fiji Day celebrations — a military parade followed by a 21-gun salute.
The parade led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho was inspected by the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
Suva special administrator Chandu Umaria said the response from Suva for this year's celebrations was amazing.
"It's very nice to see this year that everyone was in Fiji colours T-shirts carrying Fiji flags shows that we are very big and united family," Mr Umaria said.
"The day is very important for all Fijians; it is not only celebrated in Suva but in Fiji as well," he said.