Hove Park to be lit up for Olympic torch event (From The Argus)

Hove Park to be lit up for Olympic torch event

5:00pm Tuesday 19th June 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Hove Park to be lit up for Olympic torch event

This is how a park will look as the Olympic torch is welcomed to Brighton and Hove.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the streets when the fabled flame is paraded through Sussex next month.

With less than a month to go, Brighton and Hove City Council has confirmed it will hold a free non-ticketed family day in Hove Park on Monday July 16.

This was after all 10,000 tickets for the official evening flame celebration at the Sussex County Cricket Ground in Hove were snapped up in less than two hours after going on release.

Geoffrey Bowden, the council’s culture committee chairman, said: “It’s intended as another way for people to get involved in the Olympics.

“It’s intended to be fun and we hope people will get involved with a range of activities we have planned.

“I was not surprised by how quickly the tickets for the cricket ground event were snapped up.

“It just goes to show the enthusiasm around the Olympics.”

Brighton’s community art charity Same Sky is organising the free event, which is one of a number of community celebrations planned.

Families are invited to bring picnics to Hove Park from 4pm while they wait for the Olympic Torchbearer to come running past at 6.06pm.

Giant flame-shaped flags, covered with pictures designed by school children, will be unfurled while a number of activities and games will be available for all to try.

Sporting groups, such as Brighton and Hove Nordic Walking Group, will display life-sized sporting figures created in workshops.

At 9pm there will be a procession of “Skynauts” with homemade flames before a giant translucent sphere known as the Sky Dome comes to life.

Sharon Mee, Same Sky’s community manager, said: “We’re looking forward to the Olympic flame’s arrival to our city and will make it a really fun and memorable day.”

To find out more about the range of events happening on the Olympic torch weekend visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk and search for Olympic torch or call 01273 290000.

Have you got tickets for an event at the Olympic Stadium? Or are you a volunteer at an event? We want to know how you are getting involved. Call the newsdesk on 01273 544519 or email news@theargus.co.uk