What do you want to do on Liberation Day?

Thursday 15 February 2018

The annual public celebrations on 9 May could change as the contract for organising the events in St Peter Port goes out to tender.

A new organising committee could win the contract to arrange the main commemorative events as well as the festivities which are traditionally focused around the town piers.

In recent years the main events have included a multi faith Church service, a parade, music concerts, attractions on the piers, performances by local dance and cheerleading groups and a number of market stalls, before a fireworks display at the end of the evening.

Some of the events in St Peter Port have come in for criticism in recent years, while destinations out of town have grown in popularity with The Last Post among those pubs offering music and other entertainment on 9 May too.

Now, the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture says it is looking for "an experienced event company to take on the role of managing the Liberation Day celebrations for three years, from 2019-2021" which would include the next milestone anniversary in 2020 when the 75th anniversary of the island's freedom from German occupation will be marked.

ESC wants tenders with:

• new ideas on how to make the day truly special
• strong operational experience
• the ability to work alongside a whole range of key stakeholders

The successful tender will include ideas for securing sponsorship and the ability to manage all of the financial aspects of the event. 

The deadline for applications is Saturday 17 February with the new contract due to come into force next year.

This year's events have been organised in conjunction with the Guernsey Event Company with the detailed plans expected to be released shortly.

Pictured above: Liberation Day, 2017. Image courtesy of Visit Guernsey