The King’s Coronation
The Coronation of King Charles III is almost up on us, and Ramsgate is doing it with bells on! We have strung the bunting through the town centre and the businesses and boats in our Royal Harbour are busy hanging theirs as we speak, so come on down for a 3 day party of live music, funfair, handmade market and for this special weekend we will be lighting up our Obelisk red, white and blue on Saturday and Sunday from 8.30pm to 11pm! Plus lots more!
For those who fancy some company to watch the Coronation, head to Radford House (the Old Fire Station in Effingham St) between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday 6th May where Suzy will greet you with tea, refreshments and a big screen to watch the ceremony. There will also be an opportunity to have a look around the building and explore old Ramsgate books.
At our Royal Harbour, we also have an extra special guest! The Tall Ship, El Galeon will be arriving during the week (weather dependent) and there will be opportunities to go on board and explore this 17th Century replica of a Spanish Galleon ship. You will find her on the Commercial Quay hopefully between 5th and 14th May.
For Ticket information & booking click here.
Along with the funfair, handmade market and live entertainment at the Coronation Stage (opposite Queens Head), on Saturday there is free facepainting, crownmaking and flower head garland making going on at the yellow tent in Harbour Parade (midday – 4pm) PLUS more parade making going on at St George’s Hall in Broad Street (1-4pm). The first 200 ‘makers’ will also qualify for a VIP wristband for the street party on Sunday!
On Sunday 7th there will be last-minute opportunities to make something so you can be part of the parade and our facepainters will also be at the yellow tent from 10am to 1pm. The Community Coronation Parade with their band, Samba Ya Wantsum, will take place around 2pm from Arts in Ramsgate in the High Street and the procession will be led by our princesses to Harbour Parade so please do come and cheer them all on. The children’s Street Party for 200 lucky children will be shortly afterwards opposite Custom House, just next to the Coronation Stage. We will also be watching all the paraders very carefully and handing out a 1st, 2nd and 3rd trophy to the best fancy dress costumes!
At 9pm on Sunday, we have fireworks on our Main Sands beach opposite Ramsgate Tunnels where you will see a 10-minute traditional fireworks display – Viking Fireworks do an amazing job creating awesome displays especially for us, so this is not to be missed!
Live music opposite Queens Head will start each day from around 1pm and you can dance for up to 10 hours if you want to…Or just hobble to the dance area for that favourite banging tune (which is all I will manage!).
The Handmade & Vintage fair will run each day from 11am – 4pm and the Funfair will be open till about 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and 6pm on Monday.
On Monday, along with the Handmade & Vintage market (11am – 4pm, funfair and live music (till 6pm), Ramsgate Town Team will be hosting a litter pick on the Main Sands beach from 11am – 1pm, for those that want to take part in the BIG HELP OUT. Team members will meet you at Ramsgate Tunnels where there will be plenty of litterpickers, hoops and sacks to support your efforts. Pop into Ramsgate Tunnels as well as they have a volunteer stand that might inspire you to take up some regular volunteering.
Afterwards, do head over for the final afternoon of celebrations in Harbour Parade, bag yourself a bargain at the market, have a ride at the funfair and listen to some live music in sunny Ramsgate (yes, we’ve also ordered sunshine!).
Rebekah Smith
Town Promoter, Ramsgate Town Council
