Be part of the Opening Ceremony - even if you don't have a ticket

Saturday 27 June 2015

All Islanders are being encouraged to join in this evening's opening ceremony - even if you're not in the park.

The chance to watch the three-hour event from within the Howard Davis Park passed in a flash and tickets went in 15 minutes. But organisers want people to watch on giant screens in Liberation Square and St Aubin or cheer the 3,000 athletes on as they parade from Victoria College to the park.

Ceremony choreographer Suzie Foster, who is a Jersey-born stage manager who now lives in London, said that it would be a real spectacle that showcased Jersey's typical warm welcome - whether you were in the park or watching it on a huge screen.

"My vision from the start was to get the whole community involved so I urge everyone excited by the games to watch - it will even be streamed on the internet by ITV Channel," she said. "The ceremony itself is designed to give a real Jersey welcome to the visiting teams and showcase the best of what the Island has to offer.

"When I began to plan for this a year ago I thought about what made Jersey so special and it quickly became clear that it's the people so the ceremony will show off our talent. More than 300 Islanders are taking part including 200 primary school children. There is an orchestra, choirs, dancers, bands and mascots all involved. The Jersey references are not overly obvious but it will hopefully be something that all Islanders can be proud of."

The athletes from all 23 islands will parade into the park at 7 pm. Although Don Road between Francis Street and Georgetown will be closed, people can watch the parade along Clarence Road and the first section of Don Road.