Everything you need to know about how Harborough will mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day

The town and district is busy gearing up to celebrate the landmark event to commemorate three quarters of a century since Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared Victory in Europe.

Millions of people took to the streets all over the UK to hail peace and salute the fallen at the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945.

A three-day international celebration will take place from May 8 to May 10 as the May Bank Holiday moves from Monday May 4 to Friday May 8 to enable an international time of peace, remembrance and reflection.

Working with Harborough District Council, the Harborough at War team will be staging a celebratory VE75 event from 10am to 5pm on Friday May 8 in Market Harborough town centre.

The Square will be packed with a fantastic range of food and drink stalls, a stage and 1940s wartime entertainment with a street party feel.

The Memorial Gardens will also be a hub of excitement and activity.

The evocative space will host re-enactments, including RAF ground crew and British Army & Signals units.

The Commons Car Park will showcase M3 Lee and Sexton tanks, Second World War motorbikes and many more military vehicles from individuals and the Crouch Military and Armageddon collections.

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough council, said: “The Market Harborough VE75 event on May 8 promises to be a fantastic celebratory event.

“It’s also going to be a great opportunity for families to come along to see the living history re-enactments, military vehicles and to remember and reflect on such a significant time in our shared history.”

High-profile events are being organised all over Harborough district on May 8.

You’ll be able to go along and enjoy Foxton Village VE Day Party at Robert Monk Hall, Lutterworth VE Day celebrations in the Town Hall and Church Street area and VE75 on the Rec in Hallaton.

There will also be a fantastic VE Day picnic on Great Glen Recreation Ground and an indoor street party at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground that momentous weekend.

“It’s wonderful to see so many events taking place across the district.

“Harborough District Council is delighted to be able to offer £500 to each Harborough District Parish Council to organise events in their villages,” added Cllr King.

“We want as many people as possible in Harborough to take part in commemorations.

“Whether that means attending an event, church bells ‘Ringing out for Peace’, taking part in the ‘Nation's Toast’, dressing shop windows or learning about VE Day in schools.”

Any groups or individuals who would like to stage their own VE75 events will have to complete a Temporary Event Notice.

If you would like to do that then you can find the details here https://www.harborough.gov.uk/event-toolkit/