Blackpool’s Armed Forces Week is back with an uplifting programme of events and entertainment to honour the nation’s military personnel of the past, present and future…
Armed Forces Week is Blackpool’s opportunity to say thank you to our heroes. Since 2006, the town has been celebrating the event annually, and it now forms an integral part of VisitBlackpool’s events calendar. From 24th – 30th June, Blackpool will come together to welcome serving military personnel, veterans and cadets, with a wide range of activities designed for them and their families, as well as the many thousands of people visiting the resort.
Here are some of the events:
Armed Forces Week Flag Raising Ceremony
24 June 2019 (10:00)
Blackpool Armed Forces Week officially begins with the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag above the Town Hall. Free to attend so please come and join us.
Music for Heroes
24 June 2019 (18:00)
Blackpool says thank you to the Armed Forces with this musical extravaganza in Blackpool’s Grand Theatre. The theatre will host a night of free music, comedy and live performance with a full programme of entertainment. To get your free tickets now, book online or in person at the Blackpool Grand Theatre, or at the VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre on the Promenade. Please note a booking fee of £2 applies to all tickets.
Viva Vegas Variety Cabaret Showtime Afternoon
25 June 2019 (12:00)
Join us at Viva, Blackpool’s very own Vegas show venue for an afternoon of entertainment and variety followed by a quiz and bingo! Serving personnel and veterans get 25% off ticket prices – discounts apply so check for details. To claim the offer, quote AFW2019 when booking. To book, please call the Viva Box Office on 01253 297297 or call in!
Armed Forces Week Afternoon Tea Dance
26 June 2019 (10:00 – 17:00)
The Mighty Wurlitzer will play at an Armed Forces themed afternoon tea dance in the magnificent surroundings of Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom. Entry to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is £9.95 and entry with Afternoon Tea is £17.00. Tickets are available from The Blackpool Tower Box Office and the event is open to all.
National Armed Forces Day
29 June 2019 (10:00 – 16:00)
Enjoy a full day of entertainment at Blackpool’s Stanley Park to celebrate Armed Forces Day. A number of vintage and modern day military vehicles will form a static display in the Italian Gardens, including the Lytham St Anne’s Spitfire Ground Display Team. A Royal Navy Wildcat Helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron will be in attendance, and you can cheer on local military cadet forces as they battle it out for the Armed Forces Week trophy in a series of challenges!
Come and see what other stands and displays are on offer including military associations, local military cadet units, decommissioned military items for all to view, with fun and games for all the family!
Armed Forces Day Military Concert
29 June 2019 (19:30)
Armed Forces Day is brought to a rousing finale with a full, live concert by the Band & Corps of Drums of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire) at the Norbreck Castle Hotel. Tickets are free, and are available from the Norbreck Castle Hotel and VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre.
Sunday Morning Service and Parade
30 June 2019 (From 10:30)
Attending the service will be veteran’s associations, cadets, serving military as well as their friends, families and associates. Everyone is welcome to the service of appreciation that takes place within the grounds of Blackpool grade II listed War Memorial on Blackpool Promenade next to North Pier.
In addition to these events, the hugely popular “Going to the Flicks” event returns to the Odeon Cinema throughout the week, as local schoolchildren take part in the project to see a specially commissioned education film to show what happened in Blackpool during WWI and WWII. Current serving tri-service military personnel and veterans will bein attendance to participate in a Q&A.
On 27 June, Coral Island will play host, offering veterans and their families this generous invitation to dine out and enjoy a free carvery. Tickets are free but advance booking is essential. Proof of service required (MOD 90 or Veterans Badge, subject to availability). A £5.00 per person deposit is required and fully refundable upon arrival. Bookings are open from 10/06/2019 on 01253 922182.
On 28 June, the Service of Dedication at the Fylde Memorial Arboretum will take place to commemorate our Armed Forces and veterans while the evening sees what many veterans consider the highlight of the week, the Grand Gala Dinner at the Norbreck Castle Hotel. Following the formalities there will be a raffle and then entertainment from a top-class cabaret line-up and band. Tickets are £19.75 per person and to book, call 01253 352341.
The week ends with the annual Blackpool Taxi Pull on 30 June at the Blackpool Cenotaph on Blackpool Promenade near North Pier. The event sees local cabbies show off their strength to raise money for Armed Forces charities. Following this a barbeque will be held at the Guards Club for serving personnel and veterans of the Fylde Coast post service and parade. Admission to the Guards Club is free, with 50% discount on food for all uniformed regular service personnel.
Councillor Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Armed Forces Week is back for 2019 for another week-long of activities and events to celebrate our Armed Forces past, present and future. We invite visitors and residents alike to join in the celebrations for this annual event which gets bigger and better each year.”
The full programme for Armed Forces Week, and more details about individual events, news and tickets, go to www.visitblackpool.com/armedforces