Levin will experience a ‘roaring chorus’ of sound on Armistice Day to recreate the celebrations which greeted the end of the First World War.

Armistice Day 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the war on 11 November 1918, after four years of brutal conflict. Fighting ceased at 11am, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

New Zealand had around 58,000 troops serving overseas in the war, and communities celebrated enthusiastically when the armistice was announced, with songs, cheers, sirens, bells, tooting and drumming in the streets.

Council’s Civic and Community Events Coordinator, Melissa Steedman, said this year’s commemorations in Levin would be part of a nation-wide effort to recreate the energy of the 1918 roaring chorus.

“We aim to create a roaring chorus of jubilant sound to celebrate peace and hope for the future. We invite people to bring their musical instruments, clap, yell, whistle, toot, blow trumpets or dance a jig,” she said.

More sedate commemorations will accompany the chorus, including a commemorative address by Mayor Michael Feyen, reflections and readings by Major Ray Pinkerton of the Salvation Army and the RSA, the Ode, national anthem, and laying of wreaths.

Individuals and groups who wish to be called up to lay a wreath during the commemorations are invited to register their names with Ms Steedman on melissas@horowhenua.govt.nz or 027 234 2031.

The Levin service will be held at 10:30am on Sunday 11 November at the Cenotaph in Remembrance Park.

A traditional service will be held at 10:50am at the Cenotaph in Foxton.

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