The popular Veterans Weekend will take place in Hull’s East Park on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July.
Now in its twelfth year, the free family weekend will be a fantastic experience for people of all ages, recognising and celebrating the role of our armed forces both past and present.
People will have the chance to meet veterans and experience what it was like in the 1940’s as well as meet current servicemen and women from the armed forces.
Entertainment will get underway from 10am on both days. A Royal Navy Dive Tank with divers, a life size Lancaster Bomber fuselage and a full size Spitfire aircraft will all be on display and are new for this year’s event. There will also be a performance from the Silver Stars again (weather permitting) who will parachute in to the park at 1.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
A number of regiments will be attending and there will be a variety of military vehicles and memorabilia, British, German and American army camps, living history displays and a number WWII battle re-enactments and parades. The main stage will showcase a range of 1940’s music, fashion and dance including the Ruby Reds and Jump, Frank Cleveland Band, Jive and Swing and and Colin Bourdiec – George Formby Tribute Artist for everyone to join in, relive the past and have fun.
As always there will be an array of attractions for all the family to enjoy including a visit from children’s activities, donkey rides, traditional games and craft workshops. There will be a number of living history displays positioned within the battlefield area throughout the weekend.
Honorary Alderman Brian Petch, founder partner of the Veterans Weekend, which first took place in 2005, said: “The Veterans’ Weekend has become a well-established event in East Park and is always enjoyed by a large number of residents and visitors.
“There is so much on offer with something for everyone to enjoy. This family-orientated event celebrates the role veterans, armed forces and the public who have played a important role in protecting our country over the years.
“The event provides visitors the opportunity to reflect and recognise war time Britain and to thank those who have protected, and continue to protect, our country.”
Admission to the event on both days is free and limited parking is available in on King George V playing field, which is accessible via East Park Avenue and a fee of £1 will be charged for parking which goes towards the cost of the event.
Those members of the public who have blue badges will be able to park in East Park but must show their badges to gain access.
The weekend’s activities are organised by Hull City Council and the Hull Veterans’ Awareness Committee.
