On Saturday 4 June, Cassiobury Park welcomed thousands of visitors as people joined together to celebrate Watford’s Centenary year and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The day started with a carnival feel, as the Big Celebration Parade made its way through the town centre, led by Watford based artist Amma Gyan of Amanartis. In addition to the local artists, residents and students from St Johns Wood and Cassio School, the performers were joined by around 150 people, including the Elected Mayor (Peter Taylor), Deputy Mayor (Cllr Aga Dychton) and Chairman (Cllr Amanda Grimston) dancing and singing along and enjoying a wonderful display of carnival flowers and grasses and the beats of a lively samba band.
© Simon Jacobs
The Parade ended at the iconic bandstand in Cassiobury Park where attendees were treated to an afternoon of outstanding performances featuring dance, song and spoken word from across the decades. This included The Victoria Sponge Experience, Watford Palace Theatre, Watford Writers, The Pump House, Kathak dancing and Electric Umbrella.
© Twisty Images
The day culminated with the Main Stage lighting up Cassiobury Park with performances from Vibe FM, Martin Kaye and the fantastic headliners Rak-Su and Naughty Boy.
Naughty Boy took the time during his set to talk about how proud he was to be from Watford and happy he was to be celebrating with the massive crowd who had come out to join him.
© Sue Lacey
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Our Big Centenary and Jubilee event celebrated everything that is fantastic about Watford. Our community embraced every part of the day, from the colour and sounds of the Parade, the performances by much-loved local artists to our headliners who were proud to be performing in their home town were delighted to be welcomed back to Watford. It was the perfect way to celebrate our shared history, commemorating both Watford’s 100 years as a borough and Her Majesty’s 70-year milestone reign. The enthusiasm from the crowds from start to finish made it a day to remember and one that will live long in our town’s history.”
A massive thank you to our sponsors: Murrills Construction, Warner Bro. Studio Tour London, The Stage in the Park, The Chamber of Conscience, The Berekely Group and The Pump House Theatre for making the day possible.
I loved last weekend it just shows you now that we are back up and running and plus we have got so much else to look forward to for the rest of the summer and beyond.