Red Arrows join QM2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth for party

Tens of thousands of people will line Southampton’s historic waterfront today for a day the city will remember for a lifetime.

With Cunard’s three Queen ships in port, a Daily Echo-backed free music extravaganza, a funfair and a first-ever performance from the Red Arrows over the Southampton skies, it will be a party fit for royalty.

And if that wasn’t enough, a breathtaking fireworks and |special effects display will end the day.

The queen of parties was due to get off to a noisy start with a very early morning wake-up call to remind residents of the day to come.

Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were all expected to arrive together in Southampton docks just after 6am and signal the start of the festivities with a series of loud blasts on the vessels’ whistles.

At noon the party starts on dry land with the Jubilee celebrations hosted by community radio station Unity 101 and Southampton City Council.

The jam-packed programme of events –all put on for free – includes live entertainment from bands, dancers, choirs and other performers, demonstrations and classes, a world food fair, stalls from the community and a funfair.

While the three Cunard ships will be at separate berths in the Eastern and Western Docks, the famous RAF aerobatic display team the Red Arrows will roar in for a breathtaking display from 6.20pm.

At 10.20pm a glittering firework display, including a number of powerful, high altitude effects, will soar into the night sky as the three Cunard Queens come together with Queen Mary 2 leading the others down Southampton Water and out into the Solent at 11pm.

Organisers say vantage points to view the waterfront shows, as well as Mayflower Park, are in Hythe and Town Quay.

Hythe Marina and Hythe Pier will have stewards to help with parking.

Visitors heading to Mayflower Park are urged to use the city centre car parks – although there are some spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Police, who will have officers on the waterfront, are urging partygoers to arrive in good time to enjoy the unique extravaganza.

From 8am until midnight a dedicated radio station Cunard FM will be broadcasting on 87.7FM with music, interviews and live commentary of the events as well as the musical soundtrack to the fireworks display – but listeners can only pick up signal if they are within three kilometres of Cunard’s Carnival House near Mayflower Park.

For those who cannot get to see any acts at Mayflower Park there will be live broadcasting on 103.9 Voice FM.