999 Display Pushed Back to Summer 2022

31st March 2021

Eastbourne’s 999 Emergency Services Display is to be postponed once again, returning to the seafront next summer. 

The annual celebration of the blue light services will take a second year off, to enable the county’s emergency teams to continue to prioritise the Coronavirus pandemic response.

The two day showcase is normally attended by hundreds of uniform representatives and vehicle appliances with astonishing demonstrations from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the RNLI, and is supported by Eastbourne Borough Council.

Eastbourne Borough Council Head of Tourism, Annie Wills said “The 999 Display is a firm family favourite in our busy events schedule, however given the challenges of the pandemic, the ongoing vaccination programme and the amount of time required to plan and organise this event months in advance, it is simply not realistic to expect our emergency services to stage the show in 2021. 

I am sure when the event returns next year it will enjoy incredible support from the public, following the exemplary work of our first responders throughout the pandemic.

In the meantime, we do still have a busy events programme in store for 2021 starting with the return of our vintage classic, Magnificent Motors, from 22 – 23 May, and the much anticipated international tennis in June.  In fact with most events set to make a return, thanks to our extra COVID-Ready safety measures, we are looking forward to a lively season ahead.”

Confirmed events for 2021 include:

17 April                           Coastal Trail Running
22 – 23 May                    Magnificent Motors
27 May – 13 June            John Searle’s Funfair
6 June                            Eastbourne Triathlon
19 – 26 June                   Eastbourne International Tennis
20 June                          Eastbourne 10K
25 – 27 June                   Eastbourne Feastival
26 June                          Rude Mechanical Theatre
26 June                          Armed Forces Day
26 June – 11 July            John Davis Funfair
10 July                            Starlight Stroll
17 July                            Eastbourne Pride
18 July                            Eastbourne Ironbourne Triathlon
19 – 23 July                    125^th LTA Summer County Cup Tennis
24 – 25 July                    Eastbourne Lammas Festival
24 July – 3 Aug               EODS Presents Taming of the Shrew
28 July – 29 Sept            Bike Nites (every last Wednesday of the month)
30 July – 1 Aug               LTA Ladies Over 35’s County Cup
31 July – 1 Aug               Beach Life Music Festival
2 – 7 Aug                        Devonshire Park South of England Open Tennis Championships
20 – 22 Aug                    Beer & Cider by the Sea
20 – 22 Aug                    LTA Mens Over 35’s County Cup
23 – 28 Aug                    British Open Seniors Grass Court Championships
27 – 31 Aug                    Eastbourne Vintage Festival
28 – 30 Aug                    Defiant Sports
4 – 5 Sept                       Steampunk Festival
5 Sept                             MG South Downs Run

17 – 26 Sept                    Eastbourne Walking Festival

18 Sept                           Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival

23 – 24 Sept                    Outdoor Cinema in Gildredge Park

26 Sept                           Seafront Soapbox

2 Oct                              Eastbourne Bonfire Society Procession

7 – 9 Oct                         Eastbourne Beer Festival

17, 23 & 24 Oct               Beachy Head Marathon, Half & 10K

30 Oct                            Zombie Walk

30 – 31 Oct                     Wyntercon

14 Nov                            Eastbourne Remembrance Sunday Service

26 Nov                            Meads Christmas Magic

27 Nov – 22 Dec             Winter Festival

3 Dec                              Little Chelsea Little Christmas

For more information or to submit a new event, visit VisitEastbourne.com/whats-on.