Games opening ceremony to showcase the best of Guernsey!
Saturday 8 July from 5pm, St Peter Port seafront
Samba, bagpipes, a big band, cheerleaders, majorettes, and a vintage Guernsey tractor, are all part of the line-up for the opening ceremony of the NatWest International Island Games along the Town seafront. The details of the event on Saturday 8 July have been released, with the organisers promising a music-filled, heart-pumping spectacle that showcases island pride and friendliness.
The highlights include the water ceremony at North Beach, and the parade of around 2,500 athletes and team members from North Beach to the Crown Pier. There are no tickets for the opening ceremony or any of the Games sporting events because entry everywhere is free. Amanda Hibbs, communications and events for the Games, said they had gathered some of the island’s best musical, vocal, and performance talent to create a carnival atmosphere.
‘There is a wonderful Guernsey feel to this event because all of the acts and entertainers are locally based, and all of the support is being provided by local companies. We have musicians, singers, performers, and entertainers, many of them children, who are currently rehearsing hard.
‘As the teams parade along the seafront, they will be interspersed with the Rebellion Allstars cheerleaders, the Samba Burros, the Boys Brigade Band, the Guernsey Majorettes, a group of bagpipers, and Jet the puffin, who will ride in a trailer pulled by the vintage tractor.’
North Beach car park will be closed from midday so that the stage, big screen, loudspeakers, and seating can be set up. The Town seafront will close from 4pm, and spectators are encouraged to assemble along the seafront and on North Beach from 5pm, when the Big Band Collective will be on stage to get the party started.
The ceremonial element begins at approximately 6.30pm with some short speeches, and the symbolic mixing of waters, which is the Island Games’ equivalent of the lighting of the Olympic flame. After the Games are officially declared open and the Games flag has been raised and the oath taken, the teams will leave North Beach and parade along the seafront.
North Beach has room for up to 3,000 spectators, and there will be a big screen near the Crown Pier for those lining the seafront. The crowd around the Tourist Information Centre will be treated to family entertainment, including face painters, magicians, hair braiders, bubbles, a selection of film characters and Disney princesses, and six island mascots.
The LGBTQ charity Liberate will be handing out Pride in Sport laces and sweatbands. Visit Guernsey has thousands of flags to give out to spectators. Staff from the Health Improvement Commission will be distributing fruit. Around 300 volunteers in green t-shirts will be helping Guernsey Police and Guernsey Civil Protection to ensure crowd safety.
Games director Julia Bowditch said the event would highlight island hospitality, pride, togetherness, and talent.
‘The opening ceremony will set the tone for the whole Games, so we’re encouraging islanders to come out, cheer, wave, and have a good time. We want to give the visiting athletes a proper Guernsey welcome to our special and unique island.
‘People still talk about the 2003 opening ceremony, so come and be part of history. There’s going to be a festival family atmosphere, and spectators might want to wear the colour of the team that they are supporting. We’re combining the beauty of St Peter Port with a celebration of sport and friendship, so it’s going to be an absolute belter.’
Regarding transport, the St Peter Port area will be extremely busy so the organisers are encouraging everyone to consider active or alternative travel. There will be extended bike parking areas, and park and strides from the top of the Val de Terres, Ladies College, Sir Charles Frossard House, and Beau Sejour.
The buses are free for the whole week of the Games, except the late-night weekend buses.
Salarie Corner car park, Castle Emplacement, and the Odeon car park will be open but are expected to fill up quickly.
In the six days that follow the opening ceremony, the athletes from the 24 islands will compete across 14 sports at 25 different venues.
