Big plans for VE Day celebrations in district

8 May 2020 will mark 75 years since Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), and, to commemorate this important anniversary, a three-day international celebration will take place from 8 May to 10 May 2020 with the May Bank Holiday moving from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to enable an international celebration of peace, remembrance and reflection.

Working in partnership with Harborough District Council, the Harborough at War team will be staging a celebratory VE75 event on Friday 8 May 2020, from 10am to 5pm in Market Harborough town centre.

The Square will feature food and drink stalls, a stage, period entertainment and street party feel. The Memorial Gardens will host period re-enactments including RAF ground crew and British Army & Signals, and the Commons Car Park will showcase M3 Lee and Sexton tanks, WW2 motorbikes as well as many more military vehicles from individuals and the Crouch Military and Armageddon collections.

Cllr King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “The Market Harborough VE75 event on 8 May 2020 promises to be a fantastic celebratory event, but more than that it’s a great opportunity for families to come along to see the living history re-enactments, the military vehicles and to remember and reflect on such a significant time in our shared history.”

Events are being organised all over the district with events on 8 May including Foxton Village VE Day Party at Robert Monk Hall, Lutterworth VE Day celebrations in the Town Hall and Church Street area, and VE75 on the Rec in Hallaton. Events continue through the weekend with a VE Day picnic on the Great Glen Recreation Ground and an indoor street party at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground.

Cllr King added: “It’s wonderful to see so many events taking place across the district. Harborough District Council is delighted to be able to offer £500 to each Harborough District Parish Council to organise events in their villages. We want enable as many people as possible in Harborough to take part in commemorations, whether that means attending an event, church bells ‘Ringing out for Peace’, taking part in the ‘Nation's Toast’, dressing shop windows or learning about VE Day in schools.”

Any groups or individuals intending to hold events will be required to complete a Temporary Event Notice. Details can be found here : https://www.harborough.gov.uk/event-toolkit/