Dover District Council, with Cresting Ltd, the organisers of Dover 2009, has announced a detailed programme of events for the weekend of celebrations. A range of incredible highlights will include a spectacular Air Pageant on the Saturday and, on both the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, local air displays at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, together with a range of attractions on Dover Seafront and at the School - for full details, visit www.dover2009.com.
Visitors for the day can take advantage of two park and ride locations: Broadlees Farm (opposite the Duke of York's School), from 9am-11pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday; and Farthingloe Farm (on the approach to Dover on the A20), from 9am-8pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday. Visitors who want to see the Firework Spectacular (around 10.15pm on Saturday) should use Broadlees Farm. Park and Ride costs £6 per car, with subsequent bus rides free all day between the key locations.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the historic re-enactment by Bleriot Xl aeroplanes, led by Mikael Carlson, due to arrive at the Duke of York's between 6pm-6.30pm on Saturday. In addition to this, there are current plans, weather permitting, for a French pilot to recreate the historic crossing, arriving over the white cliffs of Dover at around 6.30am, with vantage points on Dover Seafront and the National Trust site on Langdon Cliffs.
Dover Seafront will be coming alive with a range of attractions on Saturday (10am-10.30pm) and Sunday (10am-6pm), and the Duke of York's School will be open to be public with events on both days, on Saturday (10am-7.30pm) and Sunday (11am-6pm).
A range of highlights includes:
- A spectacular Air Pageant on both days including: a historic re-enactment by Bleriot Xl aeroplanes; displays by a Spitfire and by the Great War Display Team; an air race organized by the Royal Aero Club; a procession of hundreds of microlights; a fly-past by the RAF Red Arrows and La Patrouille de France at 7pm on Saturday evening
- The transformation of Dover Seafront, with village areas providing a range of specialties from France, Italy and England, with trade stands, live music at Granville Gardens, food and drink outlets, and a range of entertainments for all the family
- The Duke of York's Royal Military School opens to the public on both days with events throughout the day, including static and aerial displays, exhibitions of historic and vintage aircraft, and a range of entertainment
- The Tiger Club's Turbulent Display Team will be thrilling the crowds at the Duke of York's Royal Military School with its energetic and flamboyant low-level display programme
- Yves Rossy ('Fusion Man') will be at the School on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons with his famous 'rocket powered wings' ready to tell everyone about his flight across the English Channel last autumn
- Hornby/Airfix is running a free make-paint-and-take event for all budding modellers for all ages at the School, and there will be a great range of Airfix kits, and Airfix Gift lines available to buy as a souvenir of the day
- The School will host a 'meet the Blériot Pilots' event on the Sunday afternoon prior to the air display over the School that is planned to begin shortly before 3pm - plus many more attractions at the School
- The National Youth Theatre will be giving two performances of 'Flight' both at the School and the Seafront on the Saturday beginning at midday and 4pm respectively
- A Firework Spectacular across Dover Harbour beginning at approximately 10.15pm on Saturday.
