Entries now open for the 20th Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival

Entries are officially open for the annual Dragon Boat Festival which returns to Peterborough Rowing Lake on Saturday 9th June and, organisers Gable Events, are expecting a bumper turnout to celebrate its 20th anniversary year!

Over 30 teams are expected to descend on Thorpe Meadows in June to join in with the celebrations. They will be a complete mix of new and returning crews but all with the same aim in mind – to enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends whilst helping to make a difference in their community.

Festival charity Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice has to fundraise £2.3 million in 2018 to continue providing their incredible end of life care to people across the region, which makes events like the Dragon Boat Festival even more important. To tie in with the 20th anniversary, the charity has set the target of raising £20,000 at the event so that their staff and volunteers can continue to be there to give more families the time, memories and care they need at the most difficult time.

There is a great incentive for teams to raise as much sponsorship as possible as the top fundraisers will win the fabulous prize of a private raceview suite, finger buffet and sponsored race package worth £600 once again kindly donated by Peterborough Greyhound Stadium.

Fundraiser Nilesh Patel comments, “We are delighted and proud to again be the charity partner for the Dragon Boat Festival and to be here to celebrate the 20th anniversary of what has become a ‘must do’ event in the region. The Festival works so well for businesses or groups as a team building day, as a charity challenge or a family fun day. We would love to see even more teams taking part this year representing Thorpe Hall Hospice.”

There are spaces for up to 52 crews to battle it out over the 200 metre course and enhanced Gold and Silver entry packages are available which include marketing benefits such as the company’s logo on each side of a dragon boat as well as a significant donation to Thorpe Hall. Each team will race a minimum of three times, the dragon boats and all equipment are provided and no previous experience is needed. There will also be a host of bankside activities to entertain teams and spectators alike.

Supported by Connect FM and ESP magazine, the 2018 Dragon Boat Festival will be sponsored by Motorpoint, the local used car supermarket. Occupying a five-acre site in Peterborough and open seven days a week, Motorpoint is home to over 400 new and nearly new low mileage cars from 35 different manufacturers.

Take a look at our promotional video;