THOUSANDS of people filled the streets in Scarborough on Saturday (June 25) for Armed Forces Day.
Over 100,000 people descended to the seaside town to celebrate the annual national event which celebrates the work of our Armed Forces and veterans.
The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team landed on the beach in a haze of red, white and blue smoke to mark the start of the event.
A parade then made its way along the seafront, taking part were serving personnel, veterans, standard bearers and cadets from across the Military, RAF and Navy.
Royal Navy ship, HMS Westminster, fired its saluting guns to signal the start of the military parade.
The parade coincided with a flypast of the Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 and Wildcat helicopters, and the Navy Wings Seafire.
A confetti cannon was set off for each individual service and band that marched along the seafront.
His Royal Highness, Prince Edward The Duke of Kent, watched the parade from a balcony, joined by other VIPS including the Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Scarborough.
RAF aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, wowed crowds with a 20 minute display.
The Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight took to the skies next, followed by a display from the Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter, Royal Navy Stinson Reliant and Royal Navy Seafire.
Air displays were brought to an end by the roar of the RAF Typhoon’s engines.
Throughout the day were displays of military hardware, including key exhibits such as the weapon mounted vehicle, Jackal 2.
Budding pilots were also able to experience a ‘day in the life of the RAF’ with a nine minute long high-tempo interactive experience.
Along the seafront there were many different stalls and displays from charities, sponsors and supporting organisations.
Celebrations continued into the night with live music from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood closed the day with a performance in Scarborough Spa grand hall.
Cllr Tony Randerson, Scarborough Borough Council Armed Forces champion and cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said it was an “absolute privilege” to host the event.
He said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has made today a reality - Navy, Army, RAF and Ministry of Defence staff, sponsors, partners, the organising committee, local businesses and residents.”
Commodore Phil Waterhouse, Naval Regional Commander for Northern England and the Joint Military Commander for the Armed Forces Day national event, said: “Scarborough has waited nearly four years to host this years’ event and the public has clearly valued and appreciated the show the council, the Armed Forces and others have put on.
“It has been a wonderfully successful achievement, which the community can give themselves a big ‘salute’ for.”
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