Dragon Boat Spectacular

Dragon Boat Spectacular returns to Lowestoft this Sunday 22nd May!

Several hundred people will take to the water in Lowestoft this Sunday 22nd May as the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival returns to Oulton Broad in aid of East Coast Hospice. Crews representing businesses and organisations from all over East Anglia will race the thirty foot brightly painted Chinese dragon boats three at a time over a 200m race course alongside Nicholas Everitt Park, watched by thousands of spectators.

All of the participating crews will be seeking to knock Netmatters off their pedestal as reigning champions. Trophies will be presented by East Coast Hospice to the top three crews, the best placed mixed crew, the ‘best dressed’ crew and the team that raises the most money for the Hospice. The crew that raises the most will celebrate with a special prize meal courtesy of the Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft.

Carol Lester, Director of Festival organisers, Gable Events, comments, “We are expecting another large audience on the day to soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the teams. This 10th anniversary of the Dragon Boat Festival would not be taking place without the enthusiasm and involvement of East Coast Hospice and we hope that the teams will continue to support this fantastic local charity and help to ‘Raise the Roof’ of Margaret Chadd House. We are looking forward to a fun-packed day full of racing and entertainment”.

As well as races every 15 minutes throughout the day between 10.30am and 4.30pm, there will be plenty of family entertainment on the bank including inflatable attractions and fun fair rides. Two fabulous Great Yarmouth-based Theatre Schools, DPA and Dragons Stage and Theatre School, will be providing high quality entertainment at the Bandstand with four performances scheduled during the day between 11.30am and 3pm.

Spitfire flypast East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival Spectacular

There will also be a flypast at around 2pm (weather and operational restrictions permitting) from a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight!

The Everitt Park café will be serving a wide range of food and refreshments complemented by mobile caterers on site. Entrance to the Festival is free to spectators and ‘Pay and Display’ parking is available in the Park.

The Mayor with prizes
The Mayor with prizes

Visitors to the Festival, supported by the Lowestoft Journal, will also be able to find out more about the work of official charity, East Coast Hospice. At present there are no inpatient hospices in the Waveney and Yarmouth area but East Coast Hospice is working to change this.

Jeff Wood, Community Fundraiser for East Coast Hospice comments, “We really appreciate the continuing support of the community and of local companies participating in the Dragon Boat Festival. It will be another wonderful day for colleagues to get together, cheered on by their families and friends. Our own crew is not expecting to win but we look forward to taking part and seeing you all there!”

For further information please visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718.

To find out more about the services of East Coast Hospice call 01493 718707 or visit www.eastcoasthospice.org.uk

Photos attached of previous Dragon Boat Festivals courtesy Gable Events picture library and Vanessa Barton Photography