Family Fun Day is back after two years

It will be the first time for three years this event has been able to take place – after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be shelved in both 2020 and 2021.

The town council said it is hugely grateful for a £3,000 Armed Forces Covenant grant which helps make the event possible.

A host of activities have been lined-up including military demonstrations, live performances, music, fair rides, Zorbing, inflatable football, face painting and community stalls.

Youngsters are being urged to come in fancy dress and enter a competition – there will be a prizes up for grabs.

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Bicester’s inaugural Food Festival has been added to the day’s agenda.

The first-ever Bicester Food Festival scheduled for last October was cancelled after only nine stalls signed up.

The council said they "unknowingly" scheduled the festival in close proximity to other similar events in the country that garnered "greater interest", meaning many vendors couldn't make the date. 

This year local food traders and artisan producers will show off their wares with food tasting and demonstrations.

On the menu are sweet treats, specialist coffee, artisan breads, German sausages, oysters and seafood, sushi, Ghurka Street Food, Italian ice cream, local brewery the Wriggly Monkey and much more.

And the Just Party’s Princesses will be making appearances throughout the day for live singalongs.

Cllr Alex Thrupp, Bicester’s new mayor, will open the event at 11am and his first task will be to judge the fancy dress competition at 11.15am.

Mr Thrupp said: “I am absolutely delighted the family fun day is back on the council’s summer events schedule. I am really looking forward to this event which has the added bonus of being free to get in.

“This will be the first time since Covid pandemic began that we have been able to hold this event so it will be wonderful to see our community out in force enjoying themselves and marking Armed Forces Day where we honour all those who have served and continue to serve.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bicester Garrison and Defensive Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search  Training Regiment, DEMS, for supporting this event.

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“Please do come along, join in the fun and most importantly get creative with your fancy dress costume.”

MK Parties will compere the event and there will be performances by Bicester Military Wives Choir, Elite Dance & Theatre Tuition, The Just Dance Company, ECU, D-Day Dollies, James Farrant and Cherwell Theatre Company. Oxfordshire Home Guard will showcase its collection of military vehicles and local military history items as well as perform re-enactments, while people can get up close to a fire engine and Fire Cadets will be showing off their skills.

Bicester's Food Festival takes place on Saturday June 25 at Pingle Field from 11am until 4pm.

For more information view https://www.bicester.gov.uk/event/family-fun-day-in-association-with-armed-forces-day/

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