Colourful boats, competitive racing, live music, family activities, and plenty of food and drink are all set to bring Riverside Park to life when Newark Dragon Boat Festival returns on Sunday, 13th September.

The free community event will see teams take to the River Trent to battle it out on the water, while visitors can enjoy a full day of entertainment on dry land.

The festival will raise funds for two Newark-based charities, the Children’s Bereavement Centre and Beaumond House Hospice Care.

Racing gets under way at 10.30am, with three brightly-coloured dragon boats racing down the river at a time. Teams will compete in a series of races throughout the day, all hoping to secure their place in the final in the afternoon.

Spectators can line the riverbank and cheer on the crews as the competition unfolds.

The full racing schedule and details of the teams taking part can be found at newarkdragonboatfestival.co.uk on the day.

Away from the water there will be live music and entertainment on the festival stage throughout the day, while younger visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including crafts, inflatables, and traditional fairground games.

The event is free to enter although certain activities are charged for.

The charities thanked headline sponsors GXO in partnership with Currys, Middlebeck, and Radio Newark, as well as all of the teams taking part and working hard to fundraise.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre provides free support to children, young people, and families following the death of someone close to them, while Beaumond House Hospice Care offers compassionate palliative care and support to patients and their families.

Every pound raised through the festival will help the two charities continue to give these vital services.

The organisers are also looking for volunteers to help make the day happen. If you can spare a few hours to help with setting up, closing down or acting as a river marshal, your support would be greatly appreciated. You can find out more about volunteering, see the racing schedule and discover who is taking part at newarkdragonboatfestival.co.uk/volunteer

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