Guernsey gears up to mark 75 years of Liberation

Monday 24 February 2020

2020 marks 75 years since Guernsey's liberation, with this year's celebrations and commemorations set to be bigger than ever.

More than 250 vehicles will feature in the Liberation Day motor cavalcade - making it the largest Guernsey has ever seen - with 90 military vehicles coming over from the UK for the occasion.

It will start at L'Ancresse and make its way to St Peter Port, where vintage cars, floats, tractors and groups of people will join the parade along the seafront.

Various other commemorative events will take place throughput the day, including a re-enactment of the first British troops to liberate Guernsey on the Victoria slip.

HMS Medusa - a veteran of the D-Day Landings in Normandy - will be drafted in to Guernsey to land a representation of troops on 'Operation Omelette', which saw the advance landing of troops of Taskforce 135.

Pictured: A mystery commemorative statue will be unveiled on Liberation Day.

The re-enactment will be followed by the secondary schools race.

Following that, the parade, which will be led by the visiting Princess of Wales Royal Regiment band, will march from North Beach and along the seafront for the salute and inspection. A mystery commemorative monument will be unveiled before the parade continues its march to the Town Church for the 11:00 service.

The visiting regiment will play a part in commemorations later on in the day as well, with a parachute display carried out by its free fall team, the Tigers, at 13:45.

As always, there will be entertainment on the piers throughout the day, with lots of activities for all the family.

"We are including lots for the youngsters to take part in at the Credit Suisse Kids Zone on the Crown Pier, such as a four side climbing wall, bouncy castles and art activities," a spokesperson for EC Events said.

Pictured: The day will come to a close with a firework display.

The Albert Pier will host the Home Front Marquee this year, featuring music and entertainment right through into the evening. There will also be a 'food village', seating and a dedicated performance area for majorettes and dance groups.

Those heading towards the Castle Emplacement will find a market as well as a carousel and children's 'aquativity' zone. Castle Cornet will remain open all day with free entry, hosting music from the Band of the Bugles & Drums of the Steadfast Association and the Band of the 2nd Guernsey Boys Brigade.

The Albany will once again be home to the Waitrose NAAFI Tea Tent, with a performance area next to it at the bus terminus.