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In pictures: Aquafest is a wet and wild affair by the river




The annual fun ‘n’ frolics by – and on – the River Ouse that is Aquafest took place on Sunday (7 July) and this time everybody got a bit wet.

The Rotary Club of Ely and the Hereward Club hosted the event, which has been held almost every year since 1978, and which takes place on the first Sunday in July.

Run entirely by the Rotary Clubs of Ely, Aquafest was held in Jubilee Gardens, Lavender Green and on the river.

Aquafest 2024. A live fruit machine, from left, Ruth Brown, Lin Mitzman, Sandra Cullen and Isabel Iddon. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. A live fruit machine, from left, Ruth Brown, Lin Mitzman, Sandra Cullen and Isabel Iddon. Picture: Keith Heppell

There were numerous arena events with a variety of entertainers, including musicians and dancers. There were also funfairs, games and, of course, the raft race.

Aquafest was opened by the mayor and mayoress of Ely, Chris Phillips and Mary Rone, and this year’s winner in the raft race was Fenland Boats, who took 15.11 minutes to complete the course.

In second place was Halo, who took 17.26 minutes, and in third place was Ouse Watch, in 19.24 minutes.

Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
The raft race winners, Fenland Boats. Picture: Keith Heppell
The raft race winners, Fenland Boats. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell

Viv Doji, the president of the Rotary Club of Ely and Aquafest committee chair, said: “We were worried in the beginning because thunderstorms were forecast, but it went really well – it was a very successful day.

“The raft race went well, everyone came to the stalls, the arena acts were brilliant. We all had a very good day.”

About 3,000 to 4,000 people attended, which Viv said was probably down on previous years because of the “weather forecast being so dire”.

Thankfully, the rain was limited to the time during the raft race.

Describing the event as “good family entertainment”, Viv thanked “all the people who sponsored us, and all the acts that gave freely of their time to entertain us and the people who built their rafts, because that’s quite a big undertaking”.

Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell
Aquafest 2024. Picture: Keith Heppell

Viv, who said preparation for Aquafest starts in September, adds: “Thank you to everybody who attended and we’ll see you next year, on 6 July.”



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