Times: all day
  
Several hundred people will take to the water in Lowestoft this Sunday 27th May as the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival returns to Oulton Broad in aid of new Festival charity, St Elizabeth Hospice. More than 20 crews will race the thirty foot brightly painted Chinese dragon boats three at a time over a 200m course alongside Nicholas Everitt Park, watched by thousands of spectators.

Crews representing businesses and organisations from all over East Anglia (see attached list) will be taking to the water to ‘race the dragon’ in an effort to win the coveted Festival trophy. Festival media partner, BBC Radio Suffolk, will be one of the crews in action with breakfast presenter Rob Dunger leading the team for the third year and making the dash from his morning show to swap microphones for paddles! Trophies will be presented by St Elizabeth 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 be also awarded use of the gym and spa plus lunch at the Marriott Sprowston Manor in Norwich.

Douglas Flood, St Elizabeth Hospice’s Income Generation Manager, comments: “We are delighted that so many local businesses and organisations are taking up the challenge this year and raising sponsorship for St Elizabeth Hospice. Through this event we hope to raise awareness of the services we provide free of charge in the local area as well as raising funds which will help us to continue to provide these services in future.” 

Carol Lester, Director of Festival organisers, Gable Events, adds, “After the fantastic weather we had last year, we are expecting another large audience to come on the day to soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the teams. We have received great support again from BBC Radio Suffolk, The Lowestoft Journal and Waveney District Council and we are sure that the teams and spectators alike will enjoy a superb day out this Sunday”.

As well as races every 10 minutes throughout the day between 10am and 4pm, there will be plenty of family entertainment on the bank including inflatable attractions and fun fair rides. The Lowestoft-based Venue of Performing Arts will be performing three shows at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and there will also be a flypast during the day from a Dakota of the Memorial Flight.

You can also find out more about the work of St Elizabeth Hospice and meet the presenters and crew from BBC Radio Suffolk. 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 there is plenty of parking available off Marsh Road (which will be clearly signposted), courtesy of Broadview Caravan Site with all proceeds going to St Elizabeth Hospice. ‘Pay and display’ parking is also available at Nicholas Everitt Park.

For more information on the Dragon Boat Festival contact Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit the Festival website at www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia.