Southport Armed Forces Day promises to be “a fantastic family day out” when it takes place this weekend.
Families can enjoy lots of attractions including funfair rides, a paintball range, military vehicles, live music, entertainment, craft stalls, Star Wars Stormtroopers, Dr Who Daleks, food trucks, artisan market stalls, veterans and cadets parades, and much more.
The Atkinson will be open for the first time, with people able to call in and admire their free Polish Heritage Flight exhibition.
The large annual event is free to attend and is one of the biggest Armed Forces day events in the North West.
It takes place in the Town Hall Gardens on Lord Street in Southport between 10.30am and 5pm this Sunday (25th June 2023).
Southport Royal British Legion Media and PR Officer Sarah McEntee,who will be hosting, said: “Southport Armed Forces Day will be a really great family day out!
“There will be lots for children and people of all ages to enjoy through the day.
There will be some great fairground rides, paintballing, a food market, craft stalls, live music and lots of other attractions in addition to the military side of things.
“We are really looking to impress on people that this is not just a big military event, it is a really big family day out as well.
“It goes on until 5pm, so families can come and enjoy a really decent day out.
“Lord Street will be closed to help create a magical atmosphere.”
The day starts 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.
Organisers of the Southport Armed Forces Day include Southport Royal British Legion; SSAFA the Armed Forces charity; and Sefton Council.
Sarah McEntee 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. “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.”
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.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
