Cavalcade will make its return for 80th anniversary of Liberation Day

The Cavalcade organisers have confirmed the 2025 Cavalcade will be the biggest yet, with over 250 vehicles expected to take part.

In addition to the pre-1946 military vehicles, cars and tractors, the Cavalcade will be joined by parish, charity and family floats, decorated bicycles and wheelchairs, pedestrians, and visiting and local musicians to lead the various classes.

Jeff Vidamour, Cavalcade Director, said:

“The Cavalcade is one of the most popular elements of Liberation Day, and we hope this year will be bigger and better to celebrate the 80th anniversary. We have been working with military vehicles groups in the UK and northern Europe and we are thrilled over 150 military and vintage vehicles, some of which have never been seen in Guernsey before, will be visiting to join the Cavalcade.”

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, added:

“We encourage all parishes, families, charities and community groups to get involved and build a float, decorate their bicycles or dress up in 1940s outfits and join as a pedestrian group. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to get involved in Liberation Day and we would love to see as many people as possible take part as well as line the route to cheer them along.”

The Cavalcade will begin at Vaugrat campsite at 2pm on 9 May and will be joined by vintage cars and tractors at 2.15pm at Pembroke. The convoy will follow the coast road down the east coast where the full cavalcade will form at Salerie Corner, with the addition of the floats, pedestrians, bicycles and wheelchairs.

The Cavalcade will end with static displays of the vehicles and floats allowing islanders to take a closer look and speak to the owners.

This year’s Cavalcade is being supported by Rok.

“We’re excited and proud to be sponsoring this year’s cavalcade, which plays such an important part in the Liberation celebrations for so many people,” said Kevan Nelson, Director at Rok.

“Guernsey’s occupation and liberation is such a significant part in the island’s history and with all the visiting vehicles and the opportunity for the community to take part it promises to be a very fitting and special celebration.”

For more information about the Cavalcade, how to enter and the availability of grants to cover expenses for small and large floats, please visit the ‘Get Involved’ page at www.liberationday.gg.