AN INFLATABLE regal swan and 60 gold crowns launched from Mill Quay will help Wheathampstead celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this weekend.

As the Queen marks 60 years of her reign, St Albans residents are expected to party hard at a wide range of events in every corner of the district.

Street parties, beacon lighting, picnics in parks, hog roasts, and plenty of entertainment for all ages will ensure June 2-5 is a long weekend to remember.

In Wheathampstead, events begin at 1.30pm on Monday with the public opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Garden overlooking the River Lea in the heart of the village.

There will also be 1950s events, including a “Jubilympics” at the East Meads picnic area. The WI will be serving cream teas and selling Wheathampstead Jubilee mugs filled with tea.

St Albans district councillor for Wheathampstead Annie Brewster said: “We are inviting people to bring their own chairs and picnics and enjoy free parking on the Marford Playing Fields.”

From 8pm, there will be a cabaret with entertainment from three local musical acts and the evening will be rounded off with a firework display, a Jubilee bonfire and Chinese lanterns.

Events throughout St Albans over the Jubilee weekend include:

Saturday June 2:

• Family Fun Day, from 11.30am to 5pm on Harpenden Common Triangle, opposite the Public Halls. Stage, arena, side stalls with a range of music performances;

• Jubilee Ball, 7pm till late at the London Colney community centre, Caledon Road. Tickets �25 per person;

• Herts County Show today and tomorrow (Sunday, June 3), the showground, Redbourn, from 8.30am. One of the show’s themes is the Jubilee;

• Sixty years in a shoe box, Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, from 10am until 4.30pm. You can work alone or in a team to create a mini-exhibition or art piece in a shoe box. The theme of the box can be any event of the last 60 years. Finished boxes will be on display in the city centre during June 4 celebrations.

Sunday June 3:

• Community celebrations, 12.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Redbourn, street party and “Redbourn at the seaside”. Tickets �10 from Crown Pharmacy or Coffee on the Common;

• Jubilee More to Explore – Royal connections, 3-4.30pm, St Albans Cathedral. After more than 1,200 years of royal patronage and royal visits to the Cathedral, see the evidence and hear the stories on a free tour. Meet at the west end of the Abbey.

Monday June 4:

• St Albans Diamond Jubilee Street Party, 12noon till 10pm, St Peter’s Street. Bring or buy lunch. Family entertainment, funfair, stalls, Diamond decades gig, Jubilee beacon and fireworks 10pm, Town Hall;

• Community Fun Day, 12noon till late, at Christ Church and New Greens Residents Association Club, High Oaks. Inflatables, face painting, miniature train ride, live music, hot food, bar open all day, evening disco. Live music including Elvis tribute act;

• Tower tours and teas, between 2-5pm, St Peter’s Church, St Albans. Observe celebrations in the city centre from the top of St Peter’s tower. Home-made teas served in the churchyard. With the Queen the patron of St Peter’s, children from the church have created a special Jubilee banner, to be used in junior church processions. Designed and produced with the help of local artist Jean Smith, a copy will be sent to the Queen;

• London Colney beacon celebration, 10pm, Morris playing field, White Horse Lane. Live music and hog roast.

• Diamond Jubilee beacon, about 10pm, Greenwood Park, Chiswell Green. The community centre bar opens from 7.30pm-11.30pm and a big screen will show London events, before the lighting of the beacon. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the park;

• Woodland Park celebrations, 3-11pm, Jersey Farm. Entertainment, music, stalls and beacon;

• Jubilee celebrations, Marford Road playing fields. Marquee, large picnic, concert, bonfire and fireworks.

Tuesday June 5

• Charity Jubilee Golf Day, registration from 8am, Redbourn Golf Club. Prize presentation and raffle draw at 3pm. Raising money for the Pepper Foundation.