Roll up, roll up! Aldershot’s Victoria Day will be coming to town next month and Rushmoor Borough Council is inviting local people to help put on the greatest show!
Victoria Day celebrates Aldershot’s links to Queen Victoria, as well as the town’s proud history as the home of the British army.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Circus’ and the highlight of the day will be the carnival parade through the town centre at 11am. The colourful parade will feature local school children, community groups, samba bands, dancers, scouts, classic cars and much more. Led by Aldershot's very own Queen Victoria, Betty Bryce in her horse and carriage (kindly provided by E Finch & Sons).
This year the parade will be taking a new route starting from the NAAFI roundabout, before heading up the High Street and finishing at the Princes Hall. Parade participants are being encouraged to dress up and enter the spirit of the day, so look out for ringmasters, friendly clowns, acrobats and more!
Several local schools are already signed-up to be part of the parade including St. Michael's Infant and Junior Schools and Talavera Junior and Infant School. It is not too late to sign up to take part in the parade and the closing date is Sunday 28 May. Find out more by going to our take part in Victoria Day 2023 page.
There will be a carnival atmosphere all day with live music and entertainment across two stages in Princes Gardens and in Wellington and Union Streets. Fuzz Universe, Cactus Brass, Nirzari Belly Dance, Naomi Grace Dance Studio, Get Plucky, 1st Naumati Baja Gulmi Band and St Peter’s Junior School Choir are just some of the acts and groups set to perform.
Carrying on the circus theme, visitors can meet the giant elephant puppet, try some circus skills with Juggling Jake, meet the Fantastical Fortune Teller and take part in acrobatics workshops.
There will be around 45 craft, food, and community stalls across the town centre as well as a classic car show in the Princes Gardens car park. There will also be hula hooping and balloon shows, stilt walkers, plus Lego brick building and hands on crafts. Fun fair rides and face painting will also be available for a small cost.
Councillor Gareth Lyon, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economy at Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “Victoria Day has always been a highlight of the Aldershot’s calendar, bringing the whole community together in proud celebration of our history, our links to Queen Victoria and our heritage as the home of the British Army. This year visitors can look forward to a fantastic day of live music, entertainment, and family activities. We hope that everyone will join us for another fun packed day!”
Also new for 2023, the community is invited to take part in a free Samba drumming workshop at 11am on Saturday 3 June at the New Testament Church of God, Aldershot. After learning the essentials of samba drumming, participants will be invited to join the Victoria Day parade on the day. Absolutely no experience is necessary - it is all about having fun! Everyone is welcome (children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult). Find out more and book a place by going to our take part in Victoria Day 2023 page.
Volunteers from the Aldershot Community Together group will be getting involved on the day and helping with activities and as parade marshals. Anyone who would like to get involved can email towncentreevents@rushmoor.gov.uk or look for Aldershot Community Together on Facebook.
Victoria Day is sponsored by Grainger PLC, Harlow Hall, toob, Farnborough College of Technology, nDreams and The Village Farnborough. Special thanks as always goes to Aldershot’s very own Queen Victoria, Betty Bryce and Herman Frost who organises the amazing car show.
Further information on the event is available on our Victoria Day page.
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