Families will be able to celebrate Guernsey’s 80th Liberation Day with a schedule of free children’s entertainment, including a nostalgia inducing vintage fair, on the Crown Pier this weekend.

The visiting vintage fair from UK based Downs’ Steam Fair, is a family-run company dating back to 1850. It is bringing a collection of classic rides to Guernsey for the milestone Liberation anniversary on 9 May.

Children are invited to step back in time and experience the thrill of classic rides on the pier, including a chair-o-plane, helter skelter and carousel.

The carousel: ‘Pride of the South’, may be familiar as it has appeared in films including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Dating from 1893, it is one of the oldest carousels still operating in the UK.

The fair; supported by Waitrose, will also include an Austin cars ride, featuring ten genuine 1950s Austin J40 pedal cars, adding to the thrill and charms from a bygone era.

Pictured: Selection of rides coming to Guernsey (Images from Downs’ Steam Fair website)

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said they wanted to ensure the day is ‘fun for everyone’.

“Liberation Day is a special time for the community, and the Children’s Zone will be a fantastic space for families to come together and enjoy a day filled with laughter, creativity and classic fairground fun. Thanks to the generous support of Waitrose, Trinity Church, and a host of volunteers, we’ve been able to offer a great mixture of free activities that will keep children entertained throughout the day in a safe environment. We can’t wait to see the pier buzzing with families as we come together to celebrate this important milestone in Guernsey’s history.”

The Crown Pier children’s zone will also feature activities and events to spark creativity and
imagination. A crafts and tea tent, generously run by Trinity Church, will sit alongside an arts area, climbing wall, skateboarding, bubble shows, games, princess appearances, face painting, hair braiding, biscuit decorating and more.

Complimentary tea and coffee provided by Trinity Church will be available on the pier, with a designated seating area and a small buggy park.

Pedro Gamerio, Branch Manager of Waitrose Admiral Park, said they are proud to have supported these events.

“Our engagement with the community is particularly important to us and the Children’s Zone was an obvious fit to support this Liberation Day. Crown Pier will offer a safe and relaxed spot for families to have fun with their children completely free of charge. From creative activities to classic fairground rides, there is something for everyone to enjoy across all ages.”

The celebrations will also continue at the Dance Zone on the Castle Pier, which will feature high-energy performances from the Majorettes (12 noon), Ace Cheerleaders (1pm), B Creative Street Dance (4pm) and Rebellion All Stars (5pm).

The Youth Commission’s Bus Stop, which is essentially a youth club on wheels, will be stationed at the bus terminus with activities for teenagers including traditional games, video games and refreshments.