Guernsey Liberation Events 2009

Your guide to Liberation Day Events



Saturday 9 May 2009 is the 64th anniversary of Liberation Day and St Peter Port will once again be centre of the celebrations.

• How to get into town for Liberation >
  

As has become traditional the celebrations start with the Church Parade attended by representatives of the Chelsea Pensioners, 201 (Guernsey's Own) Squadron and the island's own ACF, Sea Cadets and CCF.
Part of the military vehicle display

Ceremonial marching music will be provided by the Boys Brigade Band and the Guernsey Concert Brass Band.

The parade sets off from the White Rock at 0930 and will be inspected on the quay by Guernsey Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Fabian Malbon.
The parade is followed by the Royal Court Liberation Day Church Service at St James at 1100. At the same time St Joseph's is holding a Churches Together in Guernsey Liberation Service.
Most of the rest of the day's celebrations will take place on the St Peter Port sea front and across the three main piers.
The visiting French market

North Beach


Things start early on the North Beach with a military vehicle procession at 1040 before they park up on the North Beach to form a static display for the rest of the day alongside the visiting Normandy Market.

Also on the North Beach will be the Swing Time Dance Tent show casing music and performers getting into the historical spirit of the Liberation Day:
1100-1200 - Lydia Pugh
1200-1300 - Guernsey Concert Brass Band
1300-1400 - GU10
1400-1420 - Christmas 1944 performed by The Guernsey History In Action Company 1420-1500 - Oo-Bop-Sh'Bam - playing classic boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues jive
1500-1700 - The Glenn Miller Sounds of The Elastic Band
Crown Pier


The Town Market Stall Traders will be set up all day on the Crown Pier with local gifts, food and handicrafts on sale.
Alongside these will be the Liberation Snake, where youngsters can draw on the tarmac with chalks and add to the creation of a giant piece of art, and the Charity Stall Marquee.
More local music will be provided on the Freedom Stage on the Crown Pier as well:
Spoonful

1100-1200 - Deuce
1200-1300 - Funk Andrew
1300-1400 - GYT Singers
1400-1500 - Spoonful
1500-1600 - Schema
1600-1700 - Let It Beatles

Albert Pier


The Albert Pier will be host to entertainment for the youngsters during the day with a Wizard World providing a Harry Potter like range of attractions, Circus Whiz will be giving lessons and demonstrations of circus skills and there will be bouncy castles and other inflatable play things.
Another Guernsey tradition will be making an appearance on the Albert Pier in the form of the Crown and Anchor tables which be open throughout the day.
The Vale Earth Fair Collective will be providing musical entertainment on the pier into the evening on their Liberated Earth Stage:
1200-1245 - The Coal Box Generals
1300-1345 - Lucy Hill and Claire Mockett
1400-1445 - Jaime-Lee Fallaize
1500-1545 - Blue Note Jazz Quartet
1600-1645 - Bob Vincent
Live music on the Albert Pier in 2008

1800-1845 - Fly Casual
1900-1945 - The Nelkons
2000-2045 - The Risk
2100-2215 - Los Albertos

Picquet House


Outside Picquet House behind the Albert Statue will be the place for dancing with a Fiesta Latino featuring fun dancing, Samba Burros, Flamenco, Salsa and much more.
The Albany


Heading further along the seafront to the Albany by the bus terminus will be Team Extreme demonstrating BMX, skateboarding and inline skating on specially constructed ramps.
They will be performing at 1200, 1330, 1500 and 1630.
Other entertainment


On top of all of that buskers will be playing around town from 1130 until 1700, there will be a series of Liberation walks taking place throughout the day, CineGuernsey will be screening Appointment with Venus at Candie at 1030 and 1430 and at 1900 will be the Liberation Day Concert at St James. (from BBC Guernsey)