Are you ready to butter the scones, pour the tea and raise your pinky for the Platinum Jubilee? I certainly am! This is a once-in-a-lifetime, historic occasion, so there really is no excuse to not celebrate in the most British way possible. And while there are street parties happening all across the UK, we’re lucky that we’ve got lots of events in Teesside to enjoy the Jubilee too!
One that is especially exciting and jam-packed with fun for all the family is Redcar’s Picnic in the Park. It’s set to be a day filled with music, food, culture, performances and community – what could be better? And the best part of all of it is that it’s free to attend. But before I get carried away, here’s the details you need to know and everything you can look forward to on the day.
When and where is Redcar’s Picnic in the Park?
This fabulous event falls on the day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Sunday 5th June 2022. It’s an afternoon and evening event, running from 12 noon – 6pm, giving you plenty of time to get your best Queenie costume ready in the morning. Or maybe you want to be a little more creative with a corgi-themed outfit or something inspired by platinum!
The Platinum Jubilee Picnic in the Park will be held at Zetland Park, Coast Road, Redcar, which is a lovely green space with plenty of room for lots of activities (which we’ll natter about in a sec). It’s advised that you park in Redcar town centre and walk over to the park – you could even take the beachfront route for a more scenic journey. You find lots of parking info on the Redcar & Cleveland website.
Will Picnic in the Park be accessible?
Everyone should have the chance to celebrate this monumental occasion! Zetland Park is accessible to wheelchairs, mostly flat and with accessible paths that lead all around the park. Accessible toilets will also be available on site.
Will there be food and drink available?
As you might’ve guessed from the name, Redcar’s Picnic in the Park invites you to bring along your own picnic to enjoy by the sea. You could bring all things quintessentially British – cucumber finger sandwiches, tea cakes, scotch eggs, strawberries, the whole nine yards – or be a little more adventurous. But if a picnic doesn’t tickle your fancy, there will be food and drink stalls on site.
You can get your hands on one of the legendary parmos in a bun from Parmo-O-Rama or get super cheesy with Whitley Bay Pizza Co. If a breeze starts to roll in off the sea, you can warm up with a cuppa from Canny Coffees, or if the sun makes a welcome appearance for the afternoon, you can cool down with Riverside Ices.
What’s on at Redcar’s Picnic in the Park?
Well I’m so glad you asked! This extravaganza of a Platinum Jubilee party is full to the brim with things to see, do and enjoy with the whole family. There truly are tons of things to look forward to, but here are a few of the activities and performances that I think will be unmissable. To see the full list, make sure you head to the Redcar & Cleveland site.
Storytelling from Community Stepping Stones & Grandma Gladys from Curious Arts
A story time fit for a queen, join Granny Gladys for a royal reading of ‘The Queen’s Knickers’ whilst surrounded by crochet crowns and knickers from Community Stepping Stones. After listening to Grandma Gladys’ storytelling, you’re invited to decorate the crowns and knickers with jewels, ribbons and lace!
Two Tin Cans
Look out for Two Tin Cans; this is not an ordinary phone box! Step inside to discover a tiny printmaking studio and make an original work of art to take home to commemorate your day. Artist Suzie Devey, will demonstrate how to print using Jubilee themed printing blocks!
Tees Women Poets
Members of the Tees Women Poets collective will take the stage with a variety of verse and a smorgasbord of sass. The Tees Women Poets are a performance poetry collective for women who live or work in Teesside. This socially engaged sisterhood will be sharing new work.
Queen of the Dancing Decades
The Imaginarium Creative Studios’ presents a magical dance journey from 1952 when the Queen was crowned to the present day, exploring the styles of each decade through dance, theatre and music to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style. Performed by professional artist Jake Nwogu and lead youth dancers from the Imaginarium, plus over 130 performers from local schools and village halls, our Queen will be celebrated in all her regal glory.
Los Capitanes
Los Capitanes are a three-piece, Latin-style acoustic band playing and arranging an eclectic range of covers. All the hits, but not how you’ve heard them before!
The Bewonderment Machine – A Bird in the Hand Theatre
The Bewonderment Machine Is an artist-built cycle-powered carousel, a kinetic public sculpture and a magical journey for small children. Enjoy this quirky dreamscape, combining found objects, puppetry, machinery and music; this is a joyful call to re-wild our imaginations, and a celebration of the creatures that are increasingly losing their familiar place in our children’s lives and in their language.
When I said there was a lot going on at Redcar’s Picnic in the Park, I meant it! And this is only a snippet of what you can expect. All of the activities and performances are happening at various times across the day, but all are free with no booking required. If you want a bit more information ahead of the event, drop an email to enjoy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
Now hands up, who’s excited to come along to this event? Redcar’s Platinum Jubilee Picnic in the Park sounds like it’s the perfect way to celebrate and more British than fish and chips smothered in marmite, served up by the cast of Monty Python outside Buckingham Palace while we small talk about the weather. It’s one to get in your diaries and check out!
If you want more information you can check out the Facebook event or the Redcar & Cleveland event.
This post was sponsored as part of a campaign with Enjoy Redcar & Cleveland.