Dragon boat spectacular returns to the River Cam
August 27, 2019
More than 500 people will take to the waters of the River Cam in Fen Ditton on Saturday 7 September for the 15th annual Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival.
You can watch the 35 teams battling it out during the day in spectacular three boat races, cheered on by hundreds of supporters. The teams represent businesses and groups from across Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas, all seeking to raise vital funds for Festival charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT).
The 30’ dragon boats, qualified helms and racing equipment are provided by organisers, Gable Events, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. Medals and trophies are awarded to the top three crews, top mixed crew, top fundraisers and the ‘best dressed’ crew. There’s also a superb incentive to top the fundraising leader board as the crew raising the most money for ACT will receive a special prize experience with Cambridge Escape Rooms.
Races will take place every 10-15 minutes between 10.15am and 5.15pm and there’s plenty to entertain you bankside including children’s rides, face painting, food stalls and a bar plus colourful lion dance, Tai Chi and traditional dancing displays from the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre at 12 noon, 1.00pm and 2.00pm. At 12.37pm all eyes will turn skywards for a spectacular flypast from a Lancaster Bomber of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight!
Visitors will also be able to find out more about Festival charity, ACT and the fantastic work they do in making a difference for patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals. Emily Willdigg, ACT’s Events Lead comments: “By entering a dragon boat crew and raising money for ACT, the teams will be helping to raise much needed funds for cutting each technology, additional specialist services, vital research and extra comforts for patients that make all the difference over and above what would be possible through NHS funding alone.”
For further information please visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/cambridge or call Gable Events on 01780 470718. For information about the services of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, call Emily Willdigg on 01223 217757 or visit http://www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/
Entrance to the Festival is free and free parking is available at Fen Ditton recreation ground (please follow signs).