A town will host a day of free activities for families in association with Armed Forces Day.

Bicester Town Council have organised a free event to be held at Pingle Field on Saturday, from 11am to 4pm on June 25, in celebration of Armed Forces Day, which occurs on Friday, June 24.

It will be the first time for three years this event has been able to take place – after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be shelved in both 2020 and 2021.

This year it has been made possible by a £3,000 Armed Forces Covenant grant.

The event will recognise the contribution of Bicester’s local armed forces by including Oxfordshire Home Guard’s showcase of military vehicles, re-enactments and stall displays of local military history.

Bicester Fire Crew will also be holding demonstrations.

A range of activities has been lined up, which include live performances, music, fair rides, zorbing, inflatable football, face painting and community stalls.

Young people have been urged to come in fancy dress and enter a competition, the winner of which will receive a prize.

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Bicester’s inaugural Food Festival has been added to the day’s agenda. Local food traders and artisan producers will display their talents with food tasing and demonstrations.

On the menu for guests are sweet treats, specialist coffee, artisan breads, German sausages, oysters and seafood, sushi, Ghurka street food, Italian ice cream, local brewery the Wriggly Monkey and more.

The organisers are also reminding people to keep a look out for the Just Party’s Princesses, who will be making appearances throughout the day for live sing-alongs.

Councillor Alex Thrupp, Bicester’s new mayor, will open the event at 11am and his first task will be to judge the fancy dress competition at 11:15am.

Councillor Thrupp said: “I am absolutely delighted the family fun day is back on the council’s summer events schedule.

“I am really looking forward to this event which has the added bonus of being free to get in.

“This will be the first time since the Covid pandemic began that we have been able to hold this event.

“It will be wonderful to see our community out in force enjoying themselves and marking Armed Forces Day where we honour all those who have served and continue to serve.

“Please do come along, join in the fun and most importantly get creative with your fancy dress costume.”  

MK Parties will compere the event and there will be performances by Bicester Military Wives Choir, Elite Dance & theatre Tuition, The Just Dance Company, ECU, D-Day Dollies, James Farrant and Cherwell Theatre Company.   

For more information on the event, visit: https://www.bicester.gov.uk/event/family-fun-day-in-association-with-armed-forces-day/

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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