Any excuse for a party! Smethwick's Parkhill Road will hold belated VE Day anniversary street party to keep up tradition
A belated VE Day anniversary street party is being held in Smethwick this Sunday (June 8).
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the residents of Parkhill Road, Smethwick, are holding a belated street party.
The road has held street parties throughout the years including for Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953 and Platinum Anniversary in 2023.
VE Day was on May 8, 1945, and there were anniversary celebrations throughout the country last month. However, Parkhill Street residents and Sandwell Council could not find a date to agree upon so a party will be held a month later instead, this Sunday.
On Sunday, between midday and 5pm, residents and community dignitaries will be celebrating by enjoying food, refreshments, music and dancing.
Smethwick Councillor Parbinder Kaur said: "Residents from Parkhill Road including Jennifer Welch, Lorraine Skipp, and Guy Skipp contacted me to help organise a VE Day street party. We couldn’t coordinate with everyone for actual VE Day, so we have gone for Sunday instead. Parkhill Road does not need an excuse for a party, so a month here or there will not affect the party spirit.
"I reached out to Sandwell Council’s events team, who were very supportive and approved the event. The celebration will follow a 1940s wartime theme, with residents dressing in period costume, bunting across the street, and lots of family-friendly activities including face painting and games for the children.
"The food will reflect the 1940s era, offering traditional and nostalgic dishes to capture the spirit of the time. With the diverse community on our street, the day promises to be inclusive, joyful, and packed with fun."
She added: "We are honoured that distinguished guests will also be attending the event, joining us to commemorate this important historical occasion and celebrate community spirit.
"We are grateful to the Dorothy Parkes Centre, which has kindly donated chairs and tables to support the event. Though CEO Robert Bruce cannot attend, he and his staff have sent their well wishes to the residents of Parkhill Road."
The Parkhill Road event team has been actively collecting donations, and the energy and excitement are growing each day.
In 2022 Parkhill Road residents recreated a photo taken during the street's 1953 Coronation party, including relatives of those depicted in the snap.
