Military reenactments, historical exhibitions and a special low-level flypast are just some of the attractions at Suffolk Armed Forces Day, which this year is being held in Bury St Edmunds.
Armed Forces Day is a national event which gives people the chance to show support for the men and women who make up the military community – from troops to service families, veterans and cadets.
The Suffolk celebrations are being held in the Abbey Gardens on Saturday, June 30, from 11am-4pm, and there is something for all the family with storytelling, military vehicles, arts and crafts, funfair rides, face painting and refreshments.
There will also be performances from the Haverhill Silver Band and Bury St Edmunds Concert Band as well as a special flypast by a World War Two Hurricane fighter.
In the evening there will be an Armed Forces Day concert by the Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra from 7.30pm at the Apex.
Tickets for the show are available from www.theapex.co.uk
Ahead of the day, British and American servicemen and women will take part in a special parade on Angel Hill in Bury.
The Sunset Ceremony, a traditional parade to signal the end of the day and the mounting of an overnight guard, will start at 6.25pm on Thursday, June 28.
The parade will build towards a flypast by Three Regiment Army Air Corps’ Apache attack helicopters as the Union Flag is lowered, with music from the RAF Honington Voluntary Band.
St Edmundsbury borough councillor Robert Everitt, portfolio holder responsible for the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “The Armed Forces hold a special place in the hearts of our residents and west Suffolk has been chosen this year to host the county celebrations for Armed Forces Day.
“From the sunset parade on Thursday to the free event at the Abbey Gardens on Saturday and the ticketed concert that evening there will be something for all the family that will not only be entertaining and informative but moving as well.
“I hope everyone will join me in supporting these events and our forces and their families.”
Entry to Suffolk Armed Forces Day is free and the Abbey Gardens event will be opened by the mayor of St Edmundsbury and the Suffolk Armed Forces Commissioner.
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