This year’s Southport Armed Forces Day is promising to be “bigger and better than ever” with a real celebration of everyone in our Armed Forces.
The eye-catching event takes place outside and inside The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport town centre between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, 25th June 2023.
It will start with a Drumhead Service at 10.30am in the Princess Diana Memorial Gardens, with a parade starting at 11am on Chapel Street, taking the salute at Southport Town Hall.
People can enjoy attractions including: vintage military vehicles, army units, veterans and cadets parades, live music and entertainment, Star Wars Stormtroopers, Dr Who Daleks, food trucks, bar, fairground rides, paintball range, artisan market stalls, and much more.
For the first time, The Atkinson on Lord Street will be joining in the fun. The venue’s brilliant Polish Heritage Flight Exhibition will be open throughout the day, with free admission.
Organisers of the Southport Armed Forces Day include Southport Royal British Legion; SSAFA the Armed Forces charity; and Sefton Council.
Southport Royal British Legion Media and PR Officer Sarah McEntee,who will be hosting, said: “Lots of people have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that this year’s Southport Armed Forces Day will be bigger and better than it has ever been.
“This will be the biggest Armed Forces Day event in the region, and we are very proud of that. We want to build on it.
“There will be a parade and a service, but this is very different to the Remembrance Sunday event in November.
“This is very much about everyone coming together for a celebration and a recognition of the Armed Forces members within our community.
“It is free to attend and very family friendly, with lots of attractions for people to enjoy. A food and drink village will be available, as will live music, craft stalls, military vehicles, and more.
“We are really pleased to see that The Atkinson will be open for the first time to join us, we would like to thank Joanne Chamberlain and everyone else there for their support.
“A number of local businesses have kindly given us their backing this year which is very much appreciated. We would love to see more local firms become involved, either in this year’s Southport Armed Forces Day or for next year. Please get in touch if you are interested.
“We would love to see as many members of the local community as possible come out and show their support on the day.”
Southport Royal British Legion Chair Major Nick McEntee said: “Over the past few years the organisers of Southport Armed Forces Day have pulled together to keep this event going.
“We have a new committee on board this year and we are doing all we can to make it even bigger and better.
“We want to be able to show that we can host the national Armed Forces Day event and bring that to our town.
“This day is all about thanking those in our Armed Forces for what they do.
“It is a celebration of the British Armed Forces past, present and future.
“Southport Armed Forces Day is very much a civic event and not a military one.”
Modern and vintage military vehicles will be parked in front of The Atkinson, alongside vintage live music and living history group displays. Army, Air and Sea cadets will also be present.
In The Atkinson’s foyer you can meet groups and societies which support our Armed Forces and take part in free family friendly craft activities.
In The Atkinson’s Discovery Box, The Polish Heritage Flight exhibition will be open and pilot Dave Harvey and the team will be chatting to visitors about the display.
The Atkinson’s award-winning café, A Great Little Place, will be open to serve great coffee and delicious fresh food.
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