BUSINESSES are being invited to enter teams for Dragon Boat races being staged this summer in Northwich.

A series of races is to be held on the River Weaver as part of an exciting new event for the town.

The Northwich Rotary River Weaver Festival is taking place over the weekend of August 11 to 13, and includes the annual regatta staged by Northwich Rowing Club.

The regatta and Dragon Boat races are being held on Saturday, August 12, with regatta races on the river between the Anderton Boat Lift and Barons Quay.

The Dragon Boat races take place over a 200-metre course between Town Bridge and Hayhurst Bridge, with prizes for the winners, and Sunday, August 13, will feature a fun day event on the river involving Northwich Rowing Club and youth groups.

There will be charity stalls over the weekend at the Barons Quay river frontage, narrowboats moored up on the Friday, and entertainment on the Saturday evening at Northwich Memorial Court.

The festival is the brainchild of Rotary club member and festival chairman John Walton, and brings together Northwich Rotary, Northwich Rowing Club, Northwich Town Council, Inland Waterways Association and River Weaver Navigation Society, with support from The Canal and River Trust.

“The aim is to publicise Northwich’s riverside potential, to develop the town as a tourist attraction and to demonstrate leisure activities and heritage using links to the national canal system via the boat lift,” said John.

“We expect many thousands of people to come along over the weekend, and the festival will be free to attend. I hope everyone will be a part of what is certain to be a spectacular event.”

The racing is being organised by the national Dragon Boat Association, and John is seeking teams to enter crews of 10 people, plus one person to bang the drum to keep time for each crew.

He is looking for a minimum of 14 teams to enter, and there is an entrance fee of £40 per person. Teams will aim to raise sponsorship over and above the entrance fee, with funds raised going towards their named charities.

“We are also seeking sponsorship to expand upon the festival entertainment and to enable the involvement of schools and youth groups,” added John.

If you wish to enter a team in the Dragon Boat racing, would like a charity stall or can offer race prizes or any other help, email jhwalton58@gmail.com