The picnics mark the launch of Celebrate! West Sussex, a four-year celebration in the run-up to the Olympics which will engage local communities in developing, creating and experiencing the arts and sports.

Seven Big Picnics are taking place in West Sussex, one in each district or borough. They include:

Arun: Ballroom Blitz! From 2pm to 4pm, at Fletchers Field in Angmering. Get your dancing shoes on with Ragroof's Shall we dance?, the hit show from Liverpool 08, played on their travelling bandstand, followed by a tea dance with tuition for all ages.

Chichester: The Great Picnic Ceilidh! From 3pm to 5.30pm, at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton.
Free entrance to the Weald and Downland from 3pm for the Roots Around the World Great Ceilidh, featuring the Mighty Quinns with an appearance from the Grand Theatre of Lemmings with their Mechanical Morris Men and the Racing Ostriches.

Roots Around the World is a Chichester-based organisation, bringing global music to West Sussex.

The events will be connected by a travelling relay, each picnic handing a symbolic baguette baton over to the next as they take place, finishing in Worthing at the last event of the day.

The relay team will be travelling with the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre's Silent Orchestra and Breakdancing Guardsmen in full uniform.

Simon Hardy, vice-chairman of West Sussex Arts Partnership, said: "The Big Picnic is the first event of Celebrate! West Sussex, a four-year celebration that will parallel the national Cultural Olympiad.

"It will be the first time that connected events will be happening in all seven local authority districts at the same time.

"It's a perfect example of the way in which local authorities combine forces and cooperate, to make this a great way to mark the run up to 2012."

Cllr Deborah Deborah Urquhart, county cabinet member for the environment and economy, said: "These events are free – just bring along a picnic and chairs or a blanket and come and join the fun. Whatever the weather the picnics will carry on."

For further information about the Big Picnics contact 01243 753890.



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