Faversham in the Forties, a retro festival in honour of the D-Day landings’ 80th anniversary, to make its debut

A brand new 1940s festival honouring the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings is launching in a market town.

Faversham in the Forties will make its debut on the second weekend of June, almost 80 years to the day since the Second World War landings in Normandy.

The operation, which became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history, took place on June 6 1944.

To commemorate the historic event and those who fought in the war, Faversham Town Council has organised a new retro festival with military re-enactments, swing music and vintage vehicles.

The event, which will mostly take place at the Market Place in Faversham, will include a large display of emergency vehicles, military tanks and retro cars from the decade.

There will also be live swing and jazz music on the town centre stage and lindy hop dancing, as well as children’s entertainment, face painting and a craft fair.

The market will be covered with Second World War bunting from Monday, June 3 to Sunday, June 16, which was created by residents in 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Local businesses will also be participating in the festival by transforming their windows with 1940s-themed decorations and offering food and drink from pop-up stalls and stands.

If you want a sit-down treat, the Faversham Gunpowder Women’s Institute will be hosting an afternoon tea in The Guildhall.

Families can also get involved in an interactive show, Fantastic Bombs and Where to Find Them, performed by Hysterical History.

The theatrical experience will give kids a chance to join Lieutenant Palmer and learn how to dig for bombs, handle authentic wartime bombs and hear stories about how they were used, and try to ‘diffuse’ a Second World War explosive.

See re-enactors, including a housewife who volunteers as a fire guard and a member of the Kent Home Guard, plus a recreation of a 1940s kitchen and real-life memorabilia from the era provided by Friends in the Forties.

Faversham in the Forties takes place in Faversham town centre on Sunday, June 9 from 10am to 4pm.

The event is free and there’s no need to book.