Family floats to help fill Liberation Cavalcade line up

Sunday 26 January 2025

More than 250 vehicles are expected to take part in the Liberation Day Cavalcade.

In addition to military vehicles, cars and tractors, the Cavalcade will also be joined by parish, charity and family floats, decorated bicycles and wheelchairs, pedestrians, and visiting and local musicians to lead the various classes.

It will begin on 9 May at Vaugrat campsite in the Vale at 14.00, and vintage cars and tractors will join at Pembroke. The convoy will then follow the coast road east, where the full cavalcade will form at Salerie Corner. This is when the addition of the floats, pedestrians, bicycles and wheelchairs will take place. The Cavalcade will end as with a static display of the vehicles and floats, allowing islanders to take a closer look and speak to the owners.

Jeff Vidamour, Cavalcade Director, said: “The Cavalcade is one of the most popular elements of Liberation Day, and we hope this year will be bigger and better to celebrate the 80th anniversary. We have been working with military vehicles groups in the UK and northern Europe and we are thrilled over 150 military and vintage vehicles, some of which have never been seen in Guernsey before, will be visiting to join the Cavalcade.”

Education, Sport and Culture member Deputy Sue Aldwell added: “We encourage all parishes, families, charities and community groups to get involved and build a float, decorate their bicycles or dress up in 1940s outfits and join as a pedestrian group. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to get involved in Liberation Day and we would love to see as many people as possible take part as well as line the route to cheer them along.”

This year’s Cavalcade is being supported by Rok.

“We’re excited and proud to be sponsoring this year’s cavalcade, which plays such an important part in the Liberation celebrations for so many people,” said Kevan Nelson, Director at Rok.

“Guernsey’s occupation and liberation is such a significant part in the island’s history and with all the visiting vehicles and the opportunity for the community to take part it promises to be a very fitting and special celebration.”

For more information about the Cavalcade, how to enter and the availability of grants to cover expenses for small and large floats, you can visit the ‘Get Involved’ page on the Liberation Day website here.