A weekend in Morecambe celebrating our Armed Forces and blue light services has received a £14,000 cash boost.
The Lancaster and Morecambe Armed Forces event has been awarded the grant by Morecambe Town Council, marking the third consecutive year that the council has acted as headline sponsor for the event.
This year's Armed Forces Day celebrations have expanded from a single day to three days, from Friday June 19 to Sunday June 21.
The event provides an opportunity for residents to recognise the contribution and service of the Armed Forces community – including serving personnel, Service families, ex-forces personnel, reservists, and cadets - and the blue light services.
Highlights are scheduled to include a drone display (Friday, 10.20pm), the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team (Saturday, 10am), a display flight from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota (Saturday, 1.40pm), a historical re-enactment performance from Task Force 1982 (Saturday, 3pm) and an historic fighter flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Sunday, 11.22am)
The weekend will also feature live music from Morecambe Brass Band and vintage performers; bike, military and drumming parades; a re-enactment village; blue light service demonstrations; food and information stalls; and a range of community activities across the seafront.
Beyond Radio will also be there on Saturday June 20 to provide announcements.
“The continued support from Morecambe Town Council has played a major role in helping Armed Forces Day grow into a significant community event for the district," said Sqn Ldr Kris Bishop, chairperson of Lancaster and Morecambe District Armed Forces Day Committee.
"The weekend is designed to recognise the contribution of serving personnel, ex-forces personnel, reservists, cadets and military families, while also bringing residents and visitors together on Morecambe’s seafront.
“Events of this scale rely heavily on volunteers, partner organisations and local support, and we are extremely grateful to everyone helping make this year’s programme possible.”
Councillor Lee Bradbury, chairperson of Morecambe’s Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee, said: "Armed Forces Day was founded to give the public an opportunity to show appreciation for those who serve and have served.
Morecambe Town Council's cheque presentation to the Armed Forces Day team
"With 10 per cent of Morecambe households home to ex-forces personnel and many more residents connected through extended families and friendships, it is especially important for the town council to continue supporting an event that reflects those local connections and experiences, as well as attracting many visitors from the wider district.”
Lancaster and Morecambe District Armed Forces Day began in 2022 and is organised by a voluntary committee.
All scheduled events and times are weather dependent and subject to change at short notice.
Each year Morecambe Town Council awards grants in support of local festivals and events via its Festivals and Events Fund, with £65,000 set aside for this purpose in 2026/27. Past recipients include Morecambe Poetry Festival, Armed Forces Day, Morecambe Pride, A Splendid Day Out Victorian Steampunk Festival, the West End Winter Lantern Festival, and many more.
The council has supported Lancaster and Morecambe Armed Forces Day with over £41,000 in total funding since the event’s inception in 2022.
Read more: Spectacular night-time drone show to be part of Armed Forces weekend in Morecambe - Beyond Radio
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