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When is Folkestone Armed Forces Day 2019 along the the Leas and what time is the Red Arrows display?
10:01, 11 June 2019
updated: 09:36, 30 June 2019
The Red Arrows visit to Folkestone today for another of their incredible displays.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s performance is set to coincide with Armed Forces Day on Sunday, June 30.
Their returns comes after thousands descended on the Leas last summer to witness their first performance in the town in four years.
Yet their show will not be without disruption, as the display has prompted a number of road closures across the town today.
Official Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) papers revealed earlier in the year showed the district and town council were set to ring-fence £22,000 and £10,000 respectively to secure the display, which has been confirmed for 4pm. It will last 20 minutes - the same as last year.
This year marks the 11th annual Armed Forces Community Fun Day and will also include parachute regiments and memorial aircraft.
The free event is designed to recognise service personnel, veterans and cadets past, present and future the prime focus.
Vicky Deakin, communities and events officer at Folkestone Town Council (FTC) said: "We expect to see over 40,000 visitors to Folkestone on the day to attend one of the relatively few displays the Red Arrows will provide in the UK this year as they are off on tour to America and Canada in August for two months."
The area to the rear of the bandstand will be dedicated to stalls including a field kitchen, cadet’s laser shooting tents, face painting, military benevolent organisations and vehicle displays.
There will also be the Great War Trench Experience, a flight simulator, funfair and Battle of Britain and weapon display stand.
Veterans will be present on the day to engage with the public about their experiences in service.
The MOD supports the FTC event and has contributed funding together with FHDC and The Big Lottery Fund.
The Folkestone and Hythe RAF 100 event last year saw the RAF display team leave a vapour trail of red, white and blue above the Leas last July.
The commemorative event also included the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight showing off the historic Lancaster Bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane, to celebrate the centenary year of the air force.
Organiser Chris Yates from Headcorn Events said previously that preparations were in place for a number of seasonal flypasts: "We also have a number of flypasts throughout the summer which will pass Folkestone and the Battle of Britain Memorial."
Running order of Folkestone Armed Forces Day 2019
10.45 – 11:00 in the Main Arena:
- The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment band march from the memorial arch, playing to Bandstand
- Play on standard bearers and cadets with national anthem
- Introductions by Folkestone Town Mayor
- Sea cadets, air cadets and army cadets with raising of the flags
11:15 – 11:45: Blue Falcons gymnastic display team in the main arena display area
12:00 – 12:20: The Dulcettes perform on the bandstand
13:00 – 13:30: PWRR ‘The Tigers’ parachute team display at the Grand drop zone
13:30 – 14:00: The Princess of Wales’s royal regiment band in the main arena
14:00 – 14:20: Royal Gurkha regiment taekwondo display and Dakota air display
14:30 – 15:00: Cadet units tug of war competition in main arena
15:00 – 15:15: Spitfire air display
15:25 – 15:50: Lindy hoppers themed dance act in main arena
16:00 – 16:20: Red Arrows display over the sea view from the Leas
16:40 – 17:10: Kent Military Community Choir on the bandstand
17:00: Mayor’s thank you and farewell speech, prayers, sunset and lowering of the flags in main arena
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