Shropshire Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a “sell-out”
More than 35,000 people have requested tickets for a Shropshire event to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Delighted organisers say the level of demand for the event at RAF Cosford on 12 July 2012 has been huge since it was announced The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh would be attending as part of their Diamond Jubilee Tour.
With 35,000 people now registered for tickets, organisers have declared the event at capacity with registrations now closed to the public.
The centrepiece of the event will be a pageant featuring 5,000 schoolchildren on a variety of colourful floats and displays representing 60 glorious years of The Queen’s reign.
The day is being organised by the Lord-Lieutenant, Her Majesty’s representative in Shropshire, Mr Algernon Heber-Percy, aided by a committee from Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, RAF Cosford, the RAF Museum and the Police.
Mr Heber-Percy said:
“We always hoped the public would come out and support this event but we have been absolutely delighted at just how many people have registered for tickets. It promises to be a truly memorable occasion and is a very special opportunity for many to see The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in Shropshire in this Jubilee year.
“We appreciate some people may be disappointed if they have not yet registered for tickets, but we have to put a limit on numbers to make sure the day is enjoyable and safe for everyone who attends.
“There’s a real team effort going into this, and by using the experience of senior people who have organised big events such as the Cosford Air Show, we decided that 35,000 people was the maximum number to ensure that people can get on and off the site safely and have a really enjoyable day.”
Entertainment will run from 10am to 5pm, featuring demonstrations from Shropshire’s industrial, commercial and agricultural expertise in one of RAF Cosford’s display hangars, and musicians and singers will be performing on an outdoor stage throughout the day.
The event will also highlight numerous voluntary and charitable organisations, and trade stands will be selling the best food and drink that Shropshire has to offer.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will be hosted at a reception at the RAF Museum, which will be closed to the public during the day, before being driven through the crowds to watch the spectacular pageant.
Organisers say those who have registered for tickets can expect to receive their tickets via email about two to three weeks before the event.
