THERE will be something for everyone as the sights and sounds of the Caribbean arrives at Palmer Park on Sunday, July 16.
Windrush 75 Sports Day will see cricket, football, music, food and much more on display as the community event makes up part of the town’s celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival at Tilbury Docks.
The event is free to attend and serves as a celebration of the pioneers who helped make Reading the town it is today.
Organiser Burton Richards said: “We’re very excited. It’s a family event and we want to encourage everyone to come along, including the wider community.
“We are celebrating 75 years of Windrush with sports, music, Caribbean cuisines. It’ll be a great experience, but also an education as well. We’ll have people from the NHS giving free checks, as well as stalls with information about black inventors and other contributors.”
The festivities will include a T20 cricket match between a Caribbean Alliance team and Barbados side.
Reading boasts one of the largest Barbadian communities outside of the country itself and their side will be tasked with taking on representatives from the surrounding islands.
Those with a preference for goals and tackles can enjoy watching a men’s Reading Select XI take on a side from Birmingham for the Windrush Trophy, while a women’s XI will lock horns with a team from Ipswich for the Caricom Cup.
There will also be a five-a-side football for under 11s, under 17s and adults.
A main stage will showcase the very best of the town’s Caribbean music scene, with The Marley Experience set to headline. There will also be performances from Rafeelya, Raspo, True Identity and more, as well as DJs Classic Wonder, DJ Carson and Reuben Irie.
Mr Richards explained it was important for both old school and modern genres to be represented, with Ska, Rocksteady, Soca, Calypso, Reggae, RnB and Dancehall all set to feature.
There will be plenty of food options to try, with stalls booked for arts, crafts and jewellery as well. Youngsters will be able to run to their hearts content in the on-site play area.
As well as being an opportunity to celebrate, the event also serves as a moment of reflection and education.
Mr Richards explained: “It’s important to recognise the work and contribution that the Caribbean has made to the economy, social and cultural diversity of the UK.
“People from various Caribbean islands settled in Britain to better themselves, helping out after the Second World War, when Britain was more or less on its hands and knees.
“Life can be a struggle for ethnic minorities. We had a little while back where many were no longer recognised as British citizens and had to apply for British citizenships, if you didn’t, you’d get deported.
“It’s important that we all get on with each other. The laws have to be fair for everybody.”
The event takes place from noon-7pm. It is free to attend, although a £1 parking donation will be welcome.
Organisers have asked that people car share, walk or use public transport where possible to ensure those with accessibility requirements can utilise the car park.
For more information, contact: 07927068386
