THE Bradford Dragon Boat Festival is returning for a thrill-packed three-day event in Saltaire next month.
Organisers of the festival, which attracts thousands of people to Roberts Park, are keen to run the festival over three days after last year's festival was scaled back to two days and the event did not take place in 2020 due to Covid.
John Galt, one of the organisers, said: "The City of Bradford delivered three days amazing of festival fun where an estimated 40,000 people attended the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival in 2019.
"We are pleased to announce that the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival 2022 is back to a three-day format.
"We have over 100 teams and over 2,000 participants already signed up for what promises to again be another fabulous occasion.
"The venue, once more, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Roberts Park, Saltaire. A truly stunning part of this planet.
"As with our previous festivals we are raising money for local good causes in the region and equally showcasing everything that is wonderful about Bradford, its districts and West Yorkshire as a whole.
"It's another opportunity for us all to demonstrate and celebrate why Bradford has been chosen as City of Culture for 2025."
Each team has 20 members, with 16 paddlers and one drummer racing the dragonboat over 200 metres trying to record a fast time.
The festival kicks off on Friday, July 1, with the Youth Championship day event, which runs from 9am to 2.45pm. The categories are primary and junior (Years 6-9) and senior (Years 10-13).
The Youth Championship evening event, which runs from 6pm to 9pm, has two categories, junior (teams aged 11 to 14) and senior (teams aged 15 to 19).
A total of 45 teams signed up for the Lord Mayor's Championship on Saturday, July 2, for races which run from 9.30am to 5pm.
Teams racing are raising money for two charities chosen by the Lord Mayor of Bradford - Marie Curie Hospice Bradford and Bradford Community Kitchen.
Forty-five teams will take part in the Multi-Charity Championship on Sunday, July 3, with teams nominating their own team charity.
Thirty-three teams will compete in the Standard Division (for novices), and 12 teams will compete in the Super Cup Division (for experienced teams).
Organisers are asking for support to run the festival over three days.
To volunteer, email jsg8@hotmail.co.uk and title the email ‘VOLUNTEER BRADFORD DBF 2022’. Provide your name, return email address and details of experience.
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