Host City Celebrations brings NATO Summit to life
The heart of Newport will be transformed into a NATO-themed culture and food celebration.
Newport City riverfront
On Bank Holiday Saturday (23 August) city residents will get to taste the food and drink of the Alliance’s 28 nations at a festival running along the banks of the River Usk near the Riverfront Theatre and The Wave, organised by the UK Government and supported by Newport City Council.
Serving soldiers from across the army, including 160 (Wales) Brigade, will be on hand to demonstrate military vehicles and equipment and army chefs will be cooking up the meals they serve to troops on the frontline.
The event will kick off at 11.30am with 50 musicians from the Band of the Household Cavalry performing in the heart of the city. The band will then move over to Rodney Parade to provide entertainment at Newport County AFC’s match against Burton Albion where the display team of The Parachute Regiment and the Red Devils, will sky-dive onto the pitch to present the match ball to the referee.
Meanwhile, cuisine from Spain to Latvia, and Turkey to the US will be served alongside music, entertainment and children activities including climbing walls and the army’s inflatable assault course challenge.
The highlight of the day will be a flypast by Spitfire and Hurricane planes from the Battle of Britain Flight.
The Riverfront highlights
1030 Household Cavalry Band march and play music in city centre
1100 Opening Ceremony with the Household Cavalry Band
1130-1630 Food Festival
1930 Battle of Britain flypast
Newport County vs Burton Albion (Rodney Parade)
1430 Household Cavalry band plays
1450 Red Devils sky-dive onto pitch and present match ball to referee
1545 Household Cavalry band plays
Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:
I would urge people to attend the festival for what will be a great day out and an opportunity to experience the food and culture from the NATO countries.
Newport has a huge amount to offer and will undoubtedly be a fantastic host city for next month’s Summit.
The Summit will be the biggest gathering of world leaders ever to take place in the UK. Newport will play a critical role in helping to showcase all that is great about Wales and why people should do business, visit or study here.
Councillor Ray Truman, deputy leader of Newport City Council, said:
The Host City Celebrations promise something for all the family to enjoy. With its NATO theme it will also raise awareness of the global event taking place in our city next month.
The 2014 NATO Summit is being held at The Celtic Manor on 4-5 September.
More information on the celebrations will be available from Newport City Council.
Find out more about NATO Summit Wales 2014 or follow the official summit Twitter account @NATOWales