Excitement is mounting in towns and villages throughout north and east Wiltshire as they prepare to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday.
In Calne, residents are invited to bring a picnic and watch the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey on a big screen at the Recreation Ground.
Other attractions include fair rides, live music, a food court, bars, children's activities, community stalls and games.
Steve Nash, director of council services for Calne, said: “This is a special occasion, so I hope local residents will take advantage of this free entertainment for the day.”
In Chippenham, the town council will live stream the Coronation at John Coles Park.
Following the live streaming, there will be a live music performance at the John Coles Park bandstand.
Derek Nash, the British jazz award-winning saxophonist and a member of the Jools Holland band, will play with a six-piece band including a vocalist.
They will play a collection of hits from soul legends including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
To finish the afternoon, there will be a showing of the 2019 live-action version of Walt Disney’s Lion King for everyone to enjoy.
Families and individuals are being urged to bring their picnics to enjoy the day, which is expected to take place between 11am and 6pm.
Becky Daniels, manager of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop in Chippenham, has spent months collecting items for her window display.
In Devizes, the Coronation will be live-streamed onto a big LED screen in the Market Place from 10.30am to 4pm.
Food and drink concessions will be available, and there will be live bands, children’s activities and family games.
Local brewery, Wadworth, has produced a King's Ale for sale throughout May to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation.
In Ludgershall, the town council is providing chairs, tables and decorations for a huge street party in the High Street open to all on Sunday, May 7, with music provided by the local radio station and four live bands, plus children’s face painting.
In Malmesbury, the town council is hosting a community picnic on Sunday, May 7 in the Cloister Gardens at 12.30pm, following a special thanksgiving service for the King at Malmesbury Abbey.
A spokesperson said: “Families will be encouraged to bring their own picnics to join in with the National Big Lunch requested by the King.”
The event will feature the Malmesbury Town Band and special activities for families, including a bouncy castle, children’s craft tent and royal-themed children’s fancy dress parade.
Marlborough and Manton plan to celebrate the Coronation on Saturday (May 6) with events planned for the whole bank holiday weekend.
Richard Spencer-Williams, the Marlborough town clerk, said: “As for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II last year there has been a great response from the community to suggest events, get involved and volunteer time to make all the plans become a reality.”
The events include a primary school arts exhibition at St Peter’s Church from Friday to Monday, May 5-8, a live streaming of the Coronation at The Parade Cinema.
There will also be tower tours at St Peter’s, and a Manton street party on Saturday afternoon, and a Coronation Prom with the Marlborough Concert Orchestra at St Peter’s from 8-9pm.
The Big Lunch on Sunday will feature cream teas, entertainment, and tower tours at St Peter’s, a civic service at St Mary’s and a High Street Party at which former St John’s student, Ben Cipolla will be performing, as well as open house at Emmanuel Church.
On Monday, Marlborough will take part in The Big Help Out, with community tidy day activities.
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