Several roads in Cape Town’s CBD will be closed for the Freedom of Entry military parade on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

The parade, which is hosted by the City of Cape Town, is being held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Cape Garrison Artillery and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Air Defence Artillery Formation. It starts at 10:00 in front of the City Hall in Darling Street, and will involve over a thousand participants from eight prestigious military units that have been awarded the Freedom of Entry award.  These include some of the country's oldest units such as the Cape Garrison Artillery, the Cape Town Dukes, the Cape Town Rifles, the Cape Town Highlanders, Cape Field Artillery, Regiment Western Province, 22 Squadron and 35 Squadron. Ceremonially, the award entitles each unit to 'march through the streets of Cape Town with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drumbs beating and colours flying.'

The ceremony will be attended by Executive Mayor Dan Plato, members of the diplomatic corps, City of Cape Town councillors and dignitaries of the South African Defence Force.
The following roads will be closed from 05:00 to 15:00: Darling St (between Buitenkant & Plein St), Harrington St (between Darling & Caledon St), Buitenkant St (between Caledon & Strand St), Parade St (between Darling & Caledon St), Corporation St (between Darling & Caledon St) and Adderley St (between Darling & Strand St).

Rehearsals will take place this Thursday, 6 August, from 18:00 to 22:00. This will result in intermittent traffic diversions in Darling St, Buitenkant St, Strand St and Adderley St.

The City of Cape Town regrets any inconvenience.