‘Wonderful Guernsey feel’ to Games' opening ceremony

Details of the event on Saturday 8 July have been released today.

About 2,500 athletes and officials from the 24 competing islands will parade along the Town seafront from North Beach to the Albert Pier.

Games communications and events director Amanda Hibbs revealed that hundreds of Guernsey’s top entertainers would take part.

‘There is a wonderful Guernsey feel to this event because all of the acts and entertainers are locally-based, and all of the support is being provided by local companies,’ she said.

‘As the teams parade along the seafront, they will be interspersed with the Rebellion Allstars cheerleaders, the Samba Burros, the Boys’ Brigade Band, Guernsey Majorettes, a group of bagpipers, and Jet the puffin, who will ride in a trailer pulled by the vintage tractor.’

North Beach car park will be closed from noon for organisers to set up a stage, big screen, loudspeakers and seating.

The seafront will close from 4pm. Spectators will be encouraged to assemble along the seafront and on North Beach from 5pm, where there will be a range of activities and entertainment.

North Beach will have room for 3,000 spectators. There will be a big screen near the entrance to the Crown Pier for those lining the seafront. And loudspeakers will be set up along the North Esplanade and The Quay.

The ceremonial element begins at approximately 6.30pm with short speeches and symbolic mixing of waters, the Island Games’ equivalent of the lighting of the Olympic flame.

After the Games are officially declared open, the teams will leave North Beach and parade along the seafront.

As host of the previous Games, in 2019, Gibraltar will leave North Beach first, followed by each island in alphabetical order, except Guernsey, which will go last.

Ceremony co-organiser Natalie Davidson said the event took inspiration from the previous time Guernsey hosted the Games, in 2003, as well as other large events.

‘We took a lot of inspiration from the success and popularity of Liberation Day, so we knew it would work hosting it on the seafront,’ she said.

‘It’s been a huge team effort. I’m excited to see all of the teams on the parade. It will be a great occasion to showcase the history and local talent our island has to offer.’

There will be free entry to the ceremony and other events throughout Games week.

Games organisers are encouraging those attending the opening ceremony to consider active or alternative transport to ease pressure on Town.

There will be extended bike parking areas, and park and strides from the top of Le Val de Terres, The Ladies’ College, Sir Charles Frossard House and Beau Sejour.

Buses are free for the whole week of the Games, except late-night weekend buses.

Salerie Corner car park, Castle Emplacement and the Odeon car park will be open, but are expected to fill up quickly.