Entertainment in Felixstowe for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend

A full programme of live music and entertainment has been announced for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Felixstowe.

The beachside entertainment area will be the venue for music celebrating seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June from noon-10pm. Among them are local solo artists, dance and majorette troupes, rock ‘n’ roll bands and a top Ska tribute group. The programme is part of a four-day weekend packed full of fun for the whole family, which also includes flypasts, marching bands, beacon lighting, community groups and a big picnic lunch.

The celebrations will start at 12.30pm on Thursday 2 June with a march through the town centre to the Town Hall where there will be a proclamation by The Mayor of Felixstowe and a flypast by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster.

Official events will then switch to Landguard Fort, where a ceremonial beacon will be lit, one of thousands across the UK in what is now a long-standing tradition to celebrate royal milestones. Prior to the lighting at 9.45pm, there will be entertainment from singer Rachael Foskett, the Felixstowe Community Choir and a piper.

On Friday and Saturday, the celebrations will centre on the beachside events area next to the leisure centre with community groups and live music, as well as activities on the sea.

On Friday, there will be a Jolly Jubilee Swim with the Felixstowe Swimscapes before community groups take to the stage. Live music is scheduled to start at 1pm and will include Ruby Ambrose, Eclipse, Shane and the Korrados before Are We There Yet?, the final act of the evening.

Saturday also has a packed programme including displays from the Hamilton School of Dance, Felixstowe Karate Club and CDC Street Dance. The evening kicks off with local rock ‘n’ roll band J.S. & The Lockerbillies before Doctor & The Epics take over ahead of headliners TooT ‘n’ Skamen.

Sunday is all about community and a Big Lunch in the town centre. Organised by The Lions Club of Felixstowe, this event will see entertainment for all the family, including face painting and traditional games like ‘Splat the Rat’. Bring your own picnic and join in the fun between noon-3pm.

The weekend is being masterminded by Felixstowe Carnival Association and Felixstowe Town Council with support from the Lions Club and Visit Felixstowe.

Julie Bellamy, Chair of Felixstowe Carnival Association said: “Felixstowe Carnival Association is looking forward to celebrating this very special occasion. Come and join us for a wonderful weekend.”

A spokesperson for Felixstowe Town Council said: “We are delighted to be supporting Felixstowe Carnival Association and the community with all the fantastic plans for the Jubilee. With something for everyone to enjoy, Felixstowe will be the place to be on this unique weekend of celebration.”

Sheline Gledhill of Visit Felixstowe added: “May Day Bank Holiday weekend brought many people back to Felixstowe for the Classic Car Rally and the Rotary Club Fun Run, and we are confident that our next big weekend, the Platinum Jubilee, will also be well supported. Everyone is welcome to come and make some fabulous memories of the Jubilee beside the sea.”

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Thursday 2 June

12.30pm: March from the town centre to the Town Hall

8pm: Rachael Foskett and the Felixstowe Community Choir at Landguard Fort

9.45pm: Piper and Beacon Lighting

Friday 3 June

12-12.30pm: Poloz Majorettes

12.30-12.40pm: Litter-Free Felixstowe

1-2pm: Katie Mitton

2.30-3pm: Bethany Hurry

3-3.15pm: Felixstowe Town Council Civic Award Winners

3.30-4.30pm: Ruby Ambrose

5-6pm: Eclipse

6.30-7.45pm: Shane and The Korrados

8.15-10pm: Are We There Yet?

Saturday 4 June

12-12.30pm: Pop Chorus

12.45-1.15pm: Hamilton School of Dance

12.30-1.30pm: Events on the Sea

1.30-1.45pm: Felixstowe Karate Club

2.15-2.45pm: CDC Street Dance

3-3.15pm: Felixstowe Opportunity Group

3.30-4.30pm: The Remoras

5-6pm: J.S. & The Lockerbillies

6.30-7.45pm: Doctor & The Epics

8.15-10pm: TooT ’n’ Skamen

Sunday 5 June

10am: Service of Thanksgiving at St John’s Church

12-3pm: The Big Lunch in the town centre shared space

All events are free and a programme will be available from stewards and volunteers or can be viewed in full at: www.visitfelixstowe.org.uk

Tickets for the Beacon Lighting are available at www.tinyurl.com/pz3b6hvp or by calling 01394 675900.

For the Big Lunch, go to www.tinyurl.com/bdez5ksx or call 01394 282086.