This year’s Grove and Wantage Extravaganza is a free, fun-filled day you won’t want to miss!
The D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on the 6 June 1944 was one of the great turning points of 20th century history. This year is the 80th anniversary of the historic event and the organisers of the Grove and Wantage Extravaganza on 15 June are marking the anniversary in style.
The Grove Rugby Club has been organising this much-loved community event since 2016 and the 2024 Extravaganza has lots to offer the community as people have come to expect, all making a great family day out.
As part of the event’s tribute to the D-Day landings, RAF Welford Historical Society will be involved with an exhibition on Grove Airfield with military vehicles and equipment on display. A WW2 re-enactment group will be attending as well as other groups providing wartime displays. Organisers are putting a modern twist to the militaria as Vauxhall Barracks will be supporting the wartime displays with modern day equipment and exhibits. The Royal Navy recruitment team will be present too along with other modern day military demonstrations and exhibits.
Chair of Grove RFC, Nigel Dixey adds: “The pinnacle of this year’s event will hopefully be a fly past arranged with RAF Brize Norton. Whilst this has been approved in principle, we are just waiting for it to be rubber stamped. There will be so much going on however that visitors will be kept busy all day until late into the evening. The Scouts and Grove Challengers Football Club are also involved to try and raise funds for all. Our event is all about supporting our local community and this includes a number of local charities who will have stalls and be involved with events. The National Animal Welfare Trust are organising a Fun Dog Show, and our Rugby Club will be holding a Rugby Touch Tournament.”
Other activities include a circus workshop, a martial arts display, a falconry show, a dance display performed by the American Dance School in Wantage. There are plenty of activities for children to take part in and all the family can have fun on the fair ground rides. For those who love baking there is a cake show and several local charities, clubs and crafters will have stalls selling a range of items. Live music will be performed all day until closing time and in addition to a BBQ, there are lots of bars and other food stalls.
The Grove and Wantage Extravaganza, held at Grove RFC Ltd. Recreation Lane, Grove, Wantage, OX12 0FL is totally free for all to attend, including your dog. The day starts at 12 noon and closes at 11pm.
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