FREE FAMILY FUN THIS FATHERS DAY WEEKEND

For an unforgettable Fathers Day weekend why not make the most of the sun, sea and stunts in the sky and head down to Palm Bay to experience Kent’s biggest free land and air festival ever!

With entertainment to suit the whole family, Margate’s Big Event boasts its best line up yet featuring a mixture of live music, street performances and stunning aerial displays over the entire weekend.

Taking to the skies on the Saturday, Margate’s Big Event is thrilled to be welcoming back the Red Arrows, Typhoon and Team Guinot Wingwalkers, with entertainment on Sunday including the UK debut of the Team Viper flying strikemasters, Gnat Pair and Aerostars. All of this, as well as flights on both days from the Hawk, Tutor and the nostalgic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight!

Entertainment back on the ground includes magical escapology, breathtaking power tumbling, circus tricks, fire breathing dragons, robotics, crawling giant bugs, nine foot high birds and so much more!

For those who love music, the centre stage will host an array of performances including a selection of swing and jazz, classic rock, pop and soul, ska, Latin and funk. The crowds on Saturday night will be treated to a stunning 70’s tribute concert featuring We Will Rock You, the Bee Gees and Tina Turner with a fabulous firework finale to round off the fun. Concert goers are also invited to dress to impress, with the most authentic 70’s outfit winning a family ticket for four to attend a local Sea Safari excursion to visit the county’s seal colonies.

For the daring, helicopter rides are also on offer as well as whiteknuckle rides at the funfair and the breathtaking Adrenalin Vertical Wind Tunnel which is a skydiving free fall simulator creating wind speeds of up to 125 mph. For those who prefer to keep two feet on the ground there is also the chance to watch a thrilling performance from the Kent Youth Trials Club motorcycle team.

Open from 10am until 10pm on Saturday and from 10.30am to 6pm on Sunday, visitors can get to the event for free by catching the shuttle bus from Margate Station, can park for £5 at Palm Bay Primary School, or can cycle or walk to Palm Bay along the beautiful Viking Coastal Trail.

Programmes for the weekend are now available to purchase for £2 from local Visitor Information Centres, by calling 0870 264 6111 or can be picked up at the event.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The fact that over 60,000 people attended our Big Event last year speaks for itself. We are thrilled to be welcoming back the event this weekend and are keeping our fingers crossed for the beautiful weather which has been predicted. It’s a fabulous free event for the whole family, and a fantastic way to spend Fathers Day without breaking the bank!”