The popular annual event organised by the Chester Grosvenor Round Table returns this Sunday.

30 rafts will be taking part in the race with a “Toybox” theme . Plenty of local businesses have signed up to raise funds for this year’s charities Young Lives Vs Cancer and North West Air Ambulance. The rafts race against the clock over an approximate 400 metre course starting just upriver of the Royal Chester Rowing Club, passing under the pedestrian Suspension Bridge to a finish on the north bank of the river by Recorder’s Steps to the Walls and just above the weir. Although the race is over at this point, the rafts then have to retrace their route back to the launch area on the Meadows.

The Groves will host an event village with bars and catering with the site opening at 10am on Sunday. The site will include a children’s slide and roundabout, an ice cream truck, a milkshake trailer, desserts, coffee, hotdogs and pizza. The Old Harker’s Arms will also be on site with their mobile bar. There will be music at Race HQ and Carnival Games from Chester Round Table, Chester 41 Club and Chester Ladies Circle. Traditional fete games and face painting will be available throughout the day as well as a grand raffle. There will be performances from the Mersey Morris Dancers, Chester City Brass Band and musician Stephen Lockhart.

Chester’s Lord Mayor sending off the first raft of the day at 10.30am

There will be awards for:

• People’s Choice – the public’s overall favourite.
• Titanic Ultimate Sinker – the fastest sinking raft.
• Fastest Hostelry – the quickest pub, restaurant or hotel on the Dee.
• Fastest Innovation – best raft using non-traditional paddle power.

Chester North and Neston Labour candidate and former MP Samantha Dixon will also be on hand to present an award.

This years race is sponsored by Salt Town Contractors and Snugburys

For more information visit https://chesterraftrace.org.uk/