Cracking weekend planned to celebrate our Armed Forces

North East Lincolnshire’s Armed Forces weekend will be coming back with a bang this summer.

Alex Baxter, Armed Forces Champion, said, “Over the years, AFMET has grown our hugely successful Armed Forces Weekend to be the largest free event along the whole of the east coast.

“We’re renowned for putting on a great show in North East Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes and people always turn out to show support for the armed forces and their families.

“And this year, we’re benefiting from the fact that the National event is being held just up the coast in Scarborough, which means that flying activity will be pretty special and will have shades of 2016, when we had the National event here!”

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council added, “We have a proud tradition of supporting our Armed Forces, past and present, in North East Lincolnshire and the Armed Forces weekend has become a firm favourite in the borough’s calendar. I’m really pleased to see the plans coming together for what promises to be another fantastic weekend.”

The Armed Forces weekend will once again happen throughout the centre of the resort, between 24-26 June, with fantastic displays, parades, and activities stretching from the pier to the leisure centre.

The weekend will kick off on the Friday, with the return of the Cleethorpes Carnival in the early evening! The big wheel will return to the leisure centre, and stands and stalls will be open through the day too. There will be evening entertainment on the stage at Remembrance Gate.

Saturday’s activities will kick off in the morning. Static displays this year will include the Royal Anglian Regiment, 250 Medical Squadron and 158-160 Royal Logistics Corps, as well as recruiting stalls staffed by all three armed forces.

Additionally, there will be displays through the weekend by the Lancers, musical entertainment and a display from the CVRTs (Combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked)). The parade of veterans and standards will once again be the focal point of Saturday afternoon before the main flying activity starts.

The Red Arrows will be returning to the resort, as will the Typhoon display team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. More details and a full programme will be released closer to the show weekend once aircraft availability has been confirmed.

Saturday evening will see live bands on the stage at the Remembrance Gate as well as traditional sunset parade. The evening will end with a bang as fireworks will once again light the skies. This will be an extended 20 minute display to music to mark the significance of Her Majesty, The Queen’s 70^th anniversary Jubilee year.

Sunday is fun day, but with more flying activity in the afternoon to entertain the crowds, along with the resumption of the trading and display stands on land.

Keep an eye on the Armed Forces Cleethorpes on Facebook, or visit the Armed Forces website, www.armedforcesnortheastlincolnshire.co.uk for updates.

Please note: all information is subject to variation and change.