FREE COMMUNITY FUN DAY WITH AIR DISPLAYS
Folkestone
Town Council are proud and delighted to announce that its 13th
annual Armed Forces & Community Fun Day will include exhilarating air
displays from the PWRR ‘Tigers’ parachute team, and various RAF display assets
including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster & Spitfire) and
Chinook Display Team (all to be confirmed).
Folkestone Armed Forces Day is a free family day out with recognition of Service Personnel, Veterans and Cadets past, present and future the prime focus.
The area to
the rear of the bandstand (and to the junction of Cliff Road) is dedicated to
displays and stands including military benevolent organisations, military
static aircraft and vehicle displays, Great War Trench Experience, Red Arrows
and Typhoon display team flight simulators, Funfair, Classic Car Show, Battle
of Britain and weapon display stands, cadet’s laser shooting tents, face
painting and much more.
The area to the rear of the bandstand (and to the junction of Cliff Road) is dedicated to displays and stands including military benevolent organisations, military static aircraft and vehicle displays, Great War Trench Experience, Red Arrows and Typhoon display team flight simulators, Funfair, Classic Car Show, Battle of Britain and weapon display stands, cadet’s laser shooting tents, face painting and much more.
Trade and food & drink stands will be sited on the lawns between the Leas Cliff Hall and the WWII Memorial Arch.
Each year this event has grown with success, and we expect over 60,000 visitors again for 2024.
Veterans will be present on the day, and many will engage with the public about their experiences in service.
Those attending will have the opportunity to visit the charity stands and stalls including the Royal British Legion, BLESMA, SSAFA, RAFA, RNLI who also offer a wide range of services and advice to forces personnel.
ARMED FORCES DAY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME - DRAFT
MAIN ARENA
10:00 – 10:25
· MILITARY BAND PARADE FROM WWI MEMORIAL ARCH PLAYING TO THE LEAS BANDSTAND
· BAND PLAY ON, STANDARD BEARERS, CADETS AND CIVIC PARTY PROCESSION INTO THE ARENA
· WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS BY THE WORSHIPFUL TOWN MAYOR OF FOLKESTONE
· BAND PLAY NATIONAL ANTHEM
· FOLKESTONE & HYTHE SEA & ROYAL MARINE CADETS, KENT ARMY CADET FORCE (FOLKESTONE) AND 99 (FOLKESTONE) SQUADRON RAF AIR CADETS WITH RAISING OF THE FLAGS
10:30-17:25
· 11:00 VICTORIA BASS – WARTIME THEMED VOCAL PERFORMANCE (20 MINS - BANDSTAND)
· 11:45 RAF CADET UNIT BAND AND BANNER DRILL SQUAD (20 MINS – ARENA)
· 12:30 THE CINQUE PORTS LINDY HOPPERS – VINTAGE DANCE GROUP (20 MINS – MAIN ARENA)
· 13:00 SHEPWAY PRIMARY SINGERS (15 MINS – BANDSTAND)
· 13:25 FOLKESTONE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION COMMUNITY CHOIR (BANDSTAND – 20 MINS)
· 13:55 SECOND BATALLION THE ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES KUKRI KNIFE DISPLAY (10 MINS - MAIN ARENA)
· 14:15 MILITARY BAND (20 MINS - MAIN ARENA)
· 14:45 THE CINQUE PORTS LINDY HOPPERS – VINTAGE DANCE GROUP (20 MINS – MAIN ARENA)
· 15:15 BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT AIR DISPLAY (15 MINS - VIEW FROM THE LEAS)
· 15:40 SECOND BATALLION THE ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES TAEKWONDO DISPLAY (10 MINS - MAIN ARENA)
· 16:00 RAF ASSET AIR DISPLAY (20 MINS – VIEW FROM THE LEAS)
· 16:30 MILTARY WIVES CHOIR – SHORNCLIFFE (BANDSTAND – 20 MINS)
· 17:00 RAF ASSET AIR DISPLAY (20 MINS – VIEW FROM THE LEAS)