Numerous fun activities will take centre stage as a world class spectacle hits the district this weekend.
East Suffolk is set to host the final stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain men's cycle race - with Britain's most easterly town kickstarting stage six of British Cycling’s premier road cycling race.
As the "prestigious" finale starts in Lowestoft at 11am this Sunday, September 8 the town is gearing up to host an "amazing international event" on their doorstep.
Supported by East Suffolk Council, the final stage gets under way from Lowestoft’s seafront at 11am before heading to Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Framlingham and Saxmundham.
The peloton will then ride along the Suffolk coast between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh, before the second half of the race travels through Snape, Wickham Market, Kesgrave and Martlesham, eventually finishing on Sea Road in Felixstowe.
With locals and visitors to the area being invited to watch along the route - or come along to the start and finish locations - a programme of activities will take place in both Lowestoft and Felixstowe on race day.
A day of celebration and engaging activities - including live entertainment and workshops - begins at 9am as Royal Green in Lowestoft is transformed.
Organised by First Light Festival in partnership with East Suffolk Council, events will run from 9am to 3pm in Lowestoft.
Each of the 18 competing teams will be presented to the crowd on the podium between 9.50 and 10.50am ahead of the stage starting at 11am.
The cycling teams will gather outside East Point Pavilion ready for departure later in the morning, heading along the promenade to the Claremont Pier before going out onto the road to set off for the final stage.
Among the activities being held in Lowestoft are a BMX Pump Track - open to all ages as well as a series of creative and educational workshops hosted by First Light Festival, National Literacy Trust and Books and Prints.
Way to Go Suffolk, Access Sport and Everyone Active will be running sports and fitness challenges, fun games and interactive sessions, while there will a fantastic line-up of live music - including John and Lynne Ward, The Austin Beats, The High Points and the Lowestoft Longshoremen - performing throughout the day on Royal Green, with a live DJ hitting the decks inside East Point Pavilion, whose traders will be open throughout the day.
There will be big screens up at Lowestoft to keep up to date with all the Tour of Britain action live on ITV4.
Best-dressed windows
Ahead of the spectacle, local businesses in Lowestoft are taking part in a competition to see who has the best-dressed window display.
Organised by Lowestoft Town Council - with funding provided by East Suffolk Council and the East Suffolk Council Communities Team - 15 businesses are vying for the public’s votes for the best-dressed window with a Tour of Britain theme.
Locals have until Thursday, September 5 to vote for their top three windows before the winners are announced on Friday.
The businesses taking part are Cash Inn Ltd, British Red Cross, Fan Fabric, Golden Memories Daycare, Heritage Centre & East Suffolk One Radio, Kirkley Florist, Lowestoft Arts Centre, Lowestoft Studio Ceramics, Moral of the Story Bookstore & Guitar Doctor UK, PJ Gilman, Parkers Formal Wear, RE General Morris, Tiqi – This is Quite Interesting, Uncle Sid’s Zero Waste Store and Woodworks Art Café.
Vote for your favourite via the online poll https://forms.office.com/e/xi1xxjH22t
Exciting programme
Cllr Seamus Bennett, East Suffolk’s assistant cabinet member, said: "The final stage of the Tour of Britain Men will be held entirely in East Suffolk and pass through many of our towns and villages, giving residents, businesses and visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy this amazing international event right on their doorstep.
"Many towns are organising community activities for residents to get involved in, and there’s also an exciting programme of activities taking place at the start in Lowestoft and finish in Felixstowe."
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