TRY A DRAGON BOAT FOR SIZE

Fancy the chance to try out a Dragon Boat for size and a selfie?

Peterborough shoppers are in for a big surprise this weekend as a full-size, 30-foot dragon boat makes a spectacular landing at Serpentine Green – giving visitors the chance to ‘paddle up’ ahead of the city’s much-loved Dragon Boat Festival.

The brightly coloured boat, complete with dragon’s head and traditional drum, will be on display between 9am and 5pm by the Boots shop this Saturday February 28. You’re invited to sit inside the boat, pose for photos with paddles, and even have a go at beating time on the drum.

Visitors will also have the chance to take part in a ‘Hook a Dragon’ competition and can test their luck and skill by fishing for floating dragon ducks poolside at the display, with instant prizes to be won. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a flavour of the fun awaiting at June’s festival.

Representatives from festival organisers New Wave Events and the event’s official charity Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice will be on hand throughout the day to share details of this year’s event and how to get involved.

ESP Magazine is once again the print media partner for the event and we’re looking forward to taking part in the racing this summer and you could join us. Entries are now officially open for the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival 2026, which takes place on Saturday June 20 at Peterborough Rowing Lake. Now in its 26th year, the festival will see teams of up to 11 people take to the water to battle it out over the 200-metre course in authentic dragon boats, each with a drummer at the front beating out the pace.

The event is expected to draw several thousand spectators, with a full day of racing complemented by music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

Once again, the festival will raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, which provides expert palliative care and bereavement support to local families facing the hardest of times.

Asif Shaheed, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said:

“We’re so proud to once again be New Wave Events charity partner for Peterborough’s only Dragon Boat event and we can’t thank them enough for their continued support. Year on year, the event raises thousands of pounds for Thorpe Hall, which, in turn, enables us to provide invaluable care and support to our patients and their families. It also gives us the opportunity to engage with local businesses and let them know about all of the great work that we do here at the hospice and how they can get involved with other events/initiatives.”

Alicja Green, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing a full-sized dragon boat to Serpentine Green once again! It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close, have a photo, and really feel part of the excitement ahead of June. With the addition of our ‘Hook a Dragon’ competition on the day, there’s even more fun to be had – whether you’re practising your paddling or trying your luck at fishing. We can’t wait to see everyone there!”

For more information and an entry form, call festival organisers New Wave Events on 01536 674 748 or visit https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/peterborough-dragon-boat-festival/ to enter online.