BUNTING has been put up in towns all over Dorset and the New Forest in anticipation of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Excitement is building as residents prepare to party in what is set to be one of the biggest celebrations in years.
Cakes will be baked, sandwiches made and last-minute arrangements made to ensure events go with a bang.
Here are some of the largest, free public events happening across the area over the four-day bank holiday weekend.
1. Beacon lightings
On Thursday, June 2, thousands of beacons will be lit across the country, and the Commonwealth, at 9.45pm, with a number of events taking place across the area.
In Bournemouth, a beacon lighting event will be taking place on the East Overcliff near the Jon Egging memorial, followed by fireworks in the bay.
Christchurch will be lighting its beacon at Mudeford Quay but the celebrations will start at 5pm with an entertainment programme planned along with funfair rides and food and drink stalls. A twilight candle-lit procession will take place from Avon Beach to the Quay led by a piper at 9pm Mudeford just before the beacon is lit.
In Poole, the beacon lighting will be at Sandbanks followed by fireworks in the bay.
Elsewhere, Wimborne will be holding a procession from the Square at 8.45pm followed by a beacon lighting at 9.45pm.
In Ringwood, there will be the beacon will be lit from the tower of the Church of St Peter and Paul in the Market Place. The ceremony will start at approximately 9.30pm. A scratch community choir will also be singing the ‘Song for Commonwealth’ which has also been written for the occasion.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Dorset
People in Swanage are invited to watch the commemorative beacon be lit at Durlston Castle with residents invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks. Entry to the Castle grounds will be free from 7pm and the event will start around 9pm, culminating in the beacon lighting at 9.45pm.
All members of the community are invited to attend each of the events.
2. Wimborne’s Big Jubilee Lunch
More than 400 people will be able to take part in The Big Jubilee Lunch in Wimborne Minster town centre on Sunday, June 5, between 12pm and 6pm. Participants are being invited to take along their own picnic and join others on the picnic benches that will be set up in the High Street. Entertainment will be provided on the stage in the Square from 12pm from the likes of Earth and Sea Acoustics, Chimney Fish, Soul Party and Matt Griffiths and Amie Knight.
3. Ringwood’s Party in the Park
A Party in the Park comes to Carvers Recreation Ground on Sunday, June 5, between 12pm and 6pm. The celebratory event is open to the whole of the Ringwood community and will feature live music, family entertainment, food and drink stalls and a miniature steam railway. The event is free to enter with those who attend invited to make a donation, half of which will go to charity.
4. Parkstone's Big Jubilee Picnic
Parkstone's Big Jubilee Picnic will take place on Saturday, June 4, from 12pm to 4pm at Branksome Rec. There will be live music and entertainment and lots of activities for all the family including stalls, crafts, face painting, soft play, bouncy castle, and much more. The free community event has been organised by Parkstone Community Group.
5. Ferndown's afternoon picnic and evening party
Ferndown residents are being invited to pack up sandwiches and sausage rolls for an afternoon picnic and some family entertainment on King George's Fields on Friday, June 3, between 1pm and 4pm. Then, between 7pm and 10pm on the fields, there will be an evening of celebrations featuring live music, food stands, a bar and funfair. A fireworks display will take place at 10pm.
6. Big screens in Bournemouth and Poole
In Bournemouth's Lower Gardens, people will be able to watch national events being broadcast by the BBC such as the Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday, June 4, and films related to the Queen’s 70-year reign. In Poole a big screen in Falkland Square will be showing Jubilee events throughout the weekend.
Read more: Jubilee Celebrations at Southbourne Green
7. Merley party
A community party for residents in and around Merley will be held in the field next to the Down in the Woods Nursery off Chichester Walk on Sunday, June 5, between 10.30am and 5pm. The party will feature a host of free activities and entertainment for the whole family including bouncy castles, face painting, live music, soft play, sumo wrestling suits, a waterslide and craft zones.
Read more: Big celebrations planned for Poole ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
8. West Parley celebration
There will be fun and games for the whole family in West Parley on Thursday, June 2. People will be able to take part in games and circus skills on the sports field at 275 Christchurch Road from 1.30pm, then from 4pm, there will be face painting and a picnic on the recreation ground with attendees invited to take along their own food.
From 7pm, there will be music and entertainment from Ringwood Brass Band, children's entertainer Krazy Kev and more. There will also be a cake decorating competition and fancy dress contest with the theme 'decades'. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing from the 50s, 60s, 70s to present day. Prizes will be awarded to the best and most original costumes.
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