A town’s popular festival is set to return next month with competitions, entertainment, food and free activities.
Fakenham’s Riverside Festival is calling for residents and businesses to dive into its much-loved community events including the Great Duck Race, Giant Sponsored Duck Race and Cardboard Raft Races on Sunday, June 16.
The event attracts hundreds to Gogg’s Mill Road each year to watch plastic ducks and homemade rafts float down the River Wensum to compete for cash prizes.
Richard Crook from Active Fakenham, the event’s organisers, said: “This is always a popular event, it’s a beautiful setting and we expect some excellent entertainment.”
Kicking off at 10am, cardboard rafts built by residents will be judged, ready to take to the water at 11am.
This will be followed by businesses competing in the Giant Sponsored Duck Race at 12.30pm and finally, the whole town in the Great Duck Race at 1pm.
Additionally, there will be a hog roast, vegetarian food, bouncy castles, hot drinks and cake stalls.
Ducks cost £1 and all-day wristbands for the bouncy castles are available for £5.
“We have some exciting new additions this year,” Richard added.
“There will be a new exercise zone where local fitness organisations will be doing free, short fun-based mini burst pop-up sessions at the sound of the siren.
“Dance and exercise based, these will be for all levels of fitness.”
All money raised will go towards future town events and supporting community hub charity First Focus as well as schools in the area.
“We would like to thank the Osprey Canoe Club, the Fakenham and District Rotary Club and everyone who is helping out,” said Richard.
“We have had tremendous support from local businesses which are sponsoring and decorating giant ducks.
“We still have a couple of spare ducks that need sponsoring, and we always need more helpers.”
Those who wish to get involved or sponsor a duck can contact Richard on 07887 803091 or email richard@activefakenham.org.uk