Thousands of people enjoyed this year’s Southport Armed Forces Day with a full day of entertainment for families to enjoy.
Lord Street was closed to traffic and was lined with funfair rides and rows of historic military vehicles as the largest Armed Forces Day celebration in the North West took place on Sunday (25th June 2023).
The Town Hall Gardens were packed with events taking place which started with a Drumhead Service.
The venue also hosted military bands, live music, craft stalls, food and drink stalls, and other entertainment.
The Atkinson, usually closed on Sundays, joined in Armed Forces Day for the first time, welcoming visitors to its informative Polish Heritage Flight Exhibition. Spitfire pilot Dave Harvey was on hand to chat to visitors.
Crowds lined the streets and applauded as a military parade made its way from Chapel Street, along London Street, through Lord Street and up to Southport Town Hall.
Once there, dignitaries including Mayor of Sefton, Cllr June Burns, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell, Southport MP Damien Moore, Bootle MP Peter Dowd, Southport Royal British Legion President Cllr Clare Louise Carragher, Colonel Doherty Commander HQ North West, The Polish Vice Consul, and others took the salute and then led an inspection of veterans and cadets.
Families were able to 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 more.
Organisers of the Southport Armed Forces Day include Southport Royal British Legion; SSAFA the Armed Forces charity; and Sefton Council.
Southport Royal British Legion Chair Major Nick McEntee said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Southport Armed Forces Day Committee and to everyone that either turned up to take part with a stand, entertainment etc and to so many members of the public who came in huge numbers for coming to support.
“This day was all about thanking those in our Armed Forces for what they do.
“It was a celebration of the British Armed Forces past, present and future.
“Our goal is to bring the national Armed Forces Day to Southport!”
Southport Royal British Legion Media and PR Officer Sarah McEntee,who hosted the event, said: “Southport Armed Forces Day is a really great family day out!
“There was lots for children and people of all ages to enjoy through the day.
“We were 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.
“Lord Street was closed to help create a magical atmosphere.
“Lots of people have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that this year’s Southport Armed Forces Day was bigger and better than it has ever been.”
Modern and vintage military vehicles were parked in front of The Atkinson and along Lord Street, alongside vintage live music and living history group displays. Army, Air and Sea cadets were present.
In The Atkinson’s foyer, visitors could meet groups and societies which support our Armed Forces and take part in free family friendly craft activities.
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