Liberation day, Guernsey 2024

A wide variety of events have been planned for this year’s Liberation Day.

Plans announced today include the popular cavalcade, which will again go from The Imperial Hotel to Town via the coast, music and entertainment in Town and at Castle Cornet during the day, a 1940s-themed concert in the early evening followed by the traditional fireworks display to end the day.

The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, responsible for coordinating Liberation Day said extra activities for children have been put in place this year as momentum is gradually built, heading towards the significant milestone of next year’s 80th anniversary event.

Events will include:

• The annual school relay race, parade and church service in the morning in Town
• Family activities and entertainment in Town from midday–5pm
• Music and entertainment at Castle Cornet between 11am-4pm, with free entry for all.
• The Cavalcade, sponsored by CA Duquemin, between midday-3pm
• A full static display of all the military vehicles, vintage cars and tractors from the cavalcade will take place along the seafront in St. Peter Port from 3-5pm
• 1940s-themed concert on Crown Pier between 5-9pm,
• Firework display, from a new location at La Valette as the project to repair the bridge leading to Castle Cornet meant a change was needed.
• Liberation Day tea hampers for islanders aged 80 or over who were in Guernsey or evacuated during the Second World War. The hampers are available through the support of Collas Crill and the donation of butter and milk from the Guernsey Dairy.
• Guernsey Care Homes will receive afternoon tea hampers.

Additionally, some out of Town events will also be held for islanders who want to enjoy parish celebrations. These include the St Pierre du Bois parish hosting a Liberation Day celebration on L’Eree Common, a tea party in the Vale, and the Last Post hosting a variety of events for all ages

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Member of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture and Liberation Day Organising Committee, said: “As with every year a huge amount of work goes into organising events for islanders to enjoy on Liberation Day so I’d like to thank everyone involved in what I hope will be a wonderful day.

“We always aim to ensure there are a range of events and activities that can be enjoyed by all islanders, of all ages, and this year it will very much be possible for people to spend all day in Town if that is their wish, with always something to see or do. Likewise there will be fantastic events out of Town which I think will be really well attended and enjoyed. We are very much seeking to use this year as an opportunity to build momentum towards next year, which will be a huge event, like in previous years, as the island celebrates 80 years since our liberation.”