Christchurch Rotary in association with the Boscombe & Southbourne Rotary Club announce details of their exciting new river pageant on the River Stour in Christchurch on Saturday 16th August in aid of three local good causes:- Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre, Pink Champagne and Bourne Water Dragon cancer survivor charities.
The Pageant features a parade of watercraft, including motorboats, fishing boats, ribs, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and novelty floats, finishing with two local team dragon boats in action.
Participants are invited to dress up and decorate their entry in a theme portraying the history of Christchurch, think Pirates, Smugglers, Saxons, Vikings and D Day landings. Prizes will be awarded for the most attractive entries in various classes.
Local community groups, including Scouts, Sea Cadets, Stand Up Paddleboarders, Canoeists, and Kayakers, have been invited to take part, and local traders, companies, and businesses are welcome to come and wave their corporate flag and support the cause!
The parade starts at 12 noon from Tuckton Tea Gardens, which is just downstream from Tuckton bridge, where there will be a variety of stalls and shore-based activities from 11:00 am, including water safety demonstrations, a multimedia presentation on the history of Christchurch and a spectacular dragon dance in support of the two dragon boat teams. The parade ends at the town quay shortly after 1 pm and will be followed by a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of the best-dressed entries.
The event is an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the river, and at the same time raise money for local charities and encourage people to engage with the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre, which is now being developed for the local community.
Organiser of the pageant, Rotarian Gerry Clarke, said: “We are appealing to local businesses to get behind this innovative new project and help us raise money for the two local Dragon Boat Cancer Charities and the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre. If you can provide a prize, make a donation, or help in any other way, we would be pleased to hear from you.”
