The cultural mix on show at this year's Armed Forces Day in Warwick is about much more than reflecting today's society. 

That's the message from Warwick District Council's armed forces champion Cllr Pam Redford as she looks ahead to the big day planned at St Nicholas Park on Saturday, June 29.

Festivities at the free event kick off at 11am with activities, information, performances and displays aimed at families, individuals, military enthusiasts and current and former serving members of the armed forces.

There will be a village of stalls to include military museums from the town, Commonwealth War Graves, the Sikh Soldier and We Are West Indians, performances by the Fusilier Band, West Indian steel band and a wartime singer, plus a chance to see a range of military vehicles.

Free children's activities include a bouncy castle, trampolines and a craft stall with free hot dogs and ice creams and a Sikh Langar providing vegetarian food.

"We want to demonstrate the diversity that existed back then and shines through to this day," said Cllr Redford. 

"People from many different cultures and backgrounds fought for this country then and are defending it now.

"We should celebrate the fact that during that sad, dangerous and unhappy period, those people stood alongside us. We relied on our allies and we still do to this day. 

"This is a diverse celebration for our diverse forces and our diverse community, one that we hope will make for an interesting and happy day.

"All those people who served in the past and those who do now to give us the freedom we have today, and that is important. 

"We recently had the 80th anniversary of D-day. That is at the forefront of our minds, but it is also about Armed Forces Week too. As well as respecting what people have done in the past, it is important to thank those who put their lives on the line now." 

There is also due to be a fly past by a Lancaster Bomber alongside a visit from two veterans who have run up Mount Snowdon to raise money for the Veterans' Contact Point in Warwick.

"We want people to be there to give them a really loud cheer because they have raised money for such a vital service," added Cllr Redford. 

"There will also be a competition between the cadet forces that they are taking very seriously.

"There is a trophy at the end for the winners, these kids are putting in a lot of time and effort so again, we want as many people there as possible to support them as well as enjoying what is going to be a wonderful day."