During the Royal Air Force Centenary year BrizeFest celebrated its 10th anniversary with an impressive two day ‘Proms in the Park’ style evening and festival. The weekend was an opportunity to thank Station personnel, their families and friends, for their commitment to the RAF over the last 12 months.
Friday 31st August began with an entertaining ‘Proms in the Park’ style evening with acts including the Brize Norton Military Wives Choir and the amazing Central Band of the Royal Air Force, who played until the fireworks finale.
Saturday was packed with entertainment for all the family, from displays to bands performing on stage. The Station provided excellent demonstrations with a RAF Firefighters Car Rescue Demo, a show from the RAF Police Dog Display Team and a parachute display by the RAF Falcons. Other displays were given by the Rockets Children’s Motorcycle Display Team and the RAF100 Pipes and Drums Massed Band.
Throughout the day visitors saw an incredible flypast by a Voyager, C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, Dakota and a Spitfire and Hurricane formation. Aircraft from Brize Norton took part in a static display along with many other aircraft. On the airfield the aircraft were joined by an extensive car display which consisted of classic and modern cars.
Sections from across RAF Brize Norton provided stalls for the event along with charities and other organisations offering games, competitions, and other activities.
Many acts performed throughout the afternoon and evening including the amazing Duke, the one and only Chesney Hawkes and headlining was the incredible One Night of Queen who played out the event with another dynamic firework display to end the night.
“BrizeFest and Families’ Day is all about recognising the amazing work of everyone at RAF Brize Norton, and saying a big thank you to them and their supporting families and friends. I hope that everyone at BrizeFest this year felt proud of their contribution and achievements, and most importantly had fun! I would like to thank everyone who came and made the atmosphere so incredible. It was a real pleasure and an honour to work with the team that made BrizeFest possible; they are truly awesome and I cannot thank them enough. Being part of the event this RAF100 year, and the tenth anniversary of BrizeFest, made it extra special.”
Squadron Leader Christine Matthews
Officer in charge of BrizeFest
