The Big Weekend takes place on Parker’s Piece on 6th – 8th July and will also host the Evening Celebration for the arrival of the Olympic Torch to the city on the Saturday evening.
Over 30,000 people from all ages and backgrounds across the county are expected at the event with to witness the arrival of the Olympic Torch and to enjoy three days of free entertainment provided by Cambridge City Council.
Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung are the official Presenting Partners of the Olympic Torch Relay and businesses who are not official London 2012 sponsors are not permitted to sponsor the Olympic Torch Relay. However, there are sponsorship opportunities within The Big Weekend itself where the Evening Celebration of the Olympic Torch in Cambridge will take place. A range of opportunities exist offering differing levels of brand profile, advertising, on site engagement, business hospitality and association.
Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council are hosting the Olympic Torch Relay and supporting the costs of the infrastructure to make it possible. However, we need the support of local businesses to make this event a success.
Antoinette Jackson, Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council said, “We are all part of this community and together we make this city a wonderful place to live, work and visit. The success of events like our annual Bonfire Night display is only possible when local businesses come together to support us in providing for their employees and our local residents. We will all want to remember how we were involved in making 2012 a special year and this is the perfect way for local businesses to come together to make it a year to remember”
What will happen in 2012 at The Big Weekend?
The Big Weekend takes place across the weekend of 6th – 8th July and consists of:
Friday 6th July – Launch Night
6pm – 10pm
The biggest and most established free outdoor pop concert in Cambridge culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.
Saturday 7th July – Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration
From 12pm
A community, family and young people orientated day encouraging people to be inspired and challenged by the London 2012 games.
Local sports clubs, schools, museums, voluntary organisations, traders and others will be involved in putting on this activity and features will include:
• Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration (6pm – 8pm)
• Main stage live music & dance entertainment
• Young People’s Performers Tent
• Big Dance Marquee
• Sports Zone
• The Big Screen Cinema
• Pop-up Art Gallery
• The Village Green environmental area
• Community market & stalls
• Bar & refreshments
• Plus between 8pm - 10pm a Major Spectacular Community Showcase Performance
Sunday 8th July – Cambridge Mela
12 – 10pm
A day of live music & activity from around the world and celebrating Cambridge’s cultural diversity and includes the Cambridge Mela – an Asian & multicultural traditional festival food, music and crafts from the city’s diverse local communities.
For more information about how to get your business involved at the 2012 Big Weekend please contact Elaine Midgley on 01223 457592 or elaine.midgley@cambridge.gov.uk
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Press contacts:
Elaine Midgley - Arts & Events Manager, Cambridge City Council
T: 01223 457592 E: elaine.midgley@cambridge.gov.uk
Toby Venables, Olympic Torch Relay Media Liaison
T: 07714 550506 E: toby.venables@cambridge.gov.uk
Cllr Rod Cantrill – Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places
T: 07919 103865
Cllr Zoe Moghadas – opposition spokesperson on Arts, Sport and Public Places
T: 07813 700986
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