Always sure to put on a good show, Wembley Park will be rolling out the red carpet again for locals and visitors over the King’s Coronation day on May 6 with a free celebration.
And to mark the occasion, the north London neighbourhood will be temporarily reverting the name of its well-known processional route to Wembley Stadium, Olympic Way, to its original name King’s Way, throughout the whole month.
Widely recognised as “Wembley Way” among football and music fans worldwide, the renowned avenue can trace its roots back to the early 1900s, when it was originally named “King’s Way”.
On July 6, 1948, the then transport minister Alfred Barnes MP re-named it “Olympic Way” during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, also known as “the Austerity Games” because of the post-war hard times, hosted in Wembley that year.
Over the years, this famous walkway has welcomed countless athletes, musicians and international celebrities and featured on millions of TV screens worldwide as a backdrop to events ranging from Live Aid in 1985 to the more recent UEFA EURO 2020 Games.
Visitors to this year’s Wembley Park Coronation Celebration will be able to enjoy the ceremony on deck chairs from a giant screen positioned in front of the National Stadium, opposite the Olympic Steps.
A stage below the screen will host a variety of live entertainers, curated by Busk in London.
Large Union Jack-themed ceremonial banners will be on display, with party freebies including Union Jack flags, paper crowns, top hats and other decorations gifted to everyone attending the event.
Shoreditch-based Urban Food Fest will operate a pop-up food market, with picnic tables and an array of street food available on the day, from cake pops and stuffed cookies to pizza and gourmet burgers, while celebrated Wembley Park bakery Bread Ahead will delight visitors with their famous doughnuts.
A selection of artisan traders will sell locally sourced homewares, gifts, and fashion items.
Around Wembley Park’s new outdoor stage, the Sound Shell, there will be a special area for families with young children. This family zone will offer various forms of entertainment such as face painters, magicians and stilt walkers.
Kids can also have fun playing life-sized board games like Jenga and other family favourites. For memorable pictures of the day, a Royal Photo Booth will also provide visitors the opportunity to pose with ‘King Charles’.
“It promises to be a memorable day, with fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy,” says Julian Tollast, Wembley Park’s head of masterplanning and design.
“As custodians of this iconic site, we hold Wembley Park’s rich history close to our hearts; it continues to influence many aspects of the neighbourhood’s naming and landscaping design.
2I can think of no better way to celebrate the King’s Coronation than with a nod to Olympic Way’s legacy, temporarily renaming it with its former title – King’s Way.”
