Hailsham Set for Sussex Day Celebrations in Vicarage Field and High Street

Hailsham Town Council is once again preparing to celebrate Sussex Day with a free community event taking place in Vicarage Field and Hailsham High Street on Saturday 20 June, from 9am to 3pm.

Residents and visitors are invited to join in the celebrations and enjoy a lively programme of entertainment, activities and local market stalls in the heart of the town. The event will showcase Sussex heritage while bringing together the local community for a day of family-friendly festivities.

Throughout the day, visitors can browse market stalls offering locally sourced produce and handcrafted goods, relax in the beer tent and enjoy a variety of live performances. Highlights will include traditional maypole dancing by local Brownies, musical performances by Hailsham Choral Society – including the well-known Sussex anthem “Sussex by the Sea” – as well as appearances from the Sussex Stompers and the Long Man Morris Dancers.

Holdance Studios will be providing mini dance performances and there will also be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained, with close-up magic, balloon modelling and a Punch and Judy show performed by Jonathan Cann. Local radio station Hailsham FM will also be on site providing live coverage throughout the day.

To help ensure the safety of visitors and participants, Hailsham High Street will be closed to traffic from 7am to 5pm on the day of the event.

In the lead-up to the celebrations, the Town Council is also encouraging local businesses to take part in a Best Dressed Sussex Day Shop Window Competition, helping to bring additional colour and creativity to the town centre.

Shops and businesses are invited to decorate their windows with imaginative Sussex-themed displays, drawing inspiration from the county’s rich history, culture and traditions or celebrating modern Sussex life. Displays will be judged anonymously in June, with the winning business receiving an award and framed certificate during the Sussex Day celebrations on 20 June.

Communities Committee Chair Cllr Anne Marie Ricketts said: “We’re delighted to once again host a Sussex Day celebration in the town centre and look forward to welcoming residents and visitors for what promises to be a lively and enjoyable community event.”

“Sussex Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the heritage of our county while bringing people together to enjoy entertainment, local traders and family activities. We also hope our town centre businesses will join in the spirit of the occasion by decorating their shop windows and helping to create a festive atmosphere across the town.”

Sussex Day is the official county day of the historic county of Sussex and is celebrated annually on 16 June. The date marks St Richard’s Day, honouring Sussex’s patron saint, Richard of Chichester, and commemorates the translation of his remains at Chichester Cathedral in 1276.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to come along, enjoy the entertainment, browse the market stalls and take part in the celebrations marking this important day in Sussex’s heritage calendar.