The beautiful weather has brought in huge crowds to take in the entertainment at the 10th annual Rotary Dragon Boat Festival in Northampton.
The event, organised by the four rotary clubs of Northampton, has been taking place today at Midsummer Meadow, with 39 teams battling it out for the Hasse Marrum Trophy.
Each team is made up of a drummer, 10 paddlers and a helm, who paddle frantically along a stretch of the River Nene in a noisy and colourful race against two other teams.
Among the competitors this year were teams from Carlsberg, Norbert Dentressangle, Tollers Solicitors, Aspers Casino and Northamptonshire Police.
The money raised on the day is split between the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, and charities chosen by each of the four rotary clubs.
There has also been music from nine acts, a fair, a children’s entertainer, a beer tent and numerous food stalls to keep the crowds entertained.
While planning this year’s event, the rotarians have had to contend with huge reeds protruding nine metres from the Nene’s banks. They arranged for them to be cleared by the Environment Agency.
Organiser David Hourihan said: “We have 39 teams, more than we have ever had before. Normally we have 36.
“We are raising money, which is what it is all about. We have regularly netted £30,000, and have raised more than £300,000 in total.
“The Air Ambulance, which is a brilliant charity, gets one third of the money, and the balance is given to the four rotary clubs of Northampton, to distribute to charities of their choice.
“It’s a lot of work and takes all year to organise. We get about 4,000 people come along, and it is wonderful when the weather is nice. But it’s not essential, because the crews still take part, even if it rains.”
Nicholas Collis, of the Tollers Torpedoes, spoke to the Chron just after his team won its heat.
He said: “It was a euphoric victory, and was a real team effort.
“There was a great rhythm in the boat, and as Gloria Estefan once said, the rhythm will get you! “When the sun is shining, what better place is there to be than in a dragon boat?”
Jo and Wayne Cattermole, of First Lane, St James, Northampton visited the event with their 18-month-old daughter Lily.
Mrs Cattermole said: “It’s our first time here. We were just saying that it is a beautiful day for it. Last year it was pouring down.
“We have come out to have a family fun day.”
The prizes are being handed out at the end of the day’s racing, at about 6pm.