17/06/2009

Issued By York City Council

York's rivers will take centre stage next month for the fourth annual Festival of the Rivers.

The popular festival promises to be bigger and better than ever this year, with a wide range of cultural and leisure activities to celebrate York's rivers - The Ouse and The Foss.

Activities will run from Saturday 11 until Sunday 26 July with something for everyone, whatever their age or interest.  Events include the annual Dragon Boat Race; the 88th birthday party for Rowntree Park - the biggest of York's traditional summer fairs in a riverside location andthe return of a Raft Regatta in Marygate. 

A drama - ‘Tales from the River' - will be performed onboard a barge in King's Staith, and visitors will be able to get into the Latino groove with Salsa classes and an evening Latino Party, both in Tower Gardens.

Northern Historic will re-enact life in troubled times in York in July 1644  and York Canoe Club will be offering ‘have-a-go canoe sessions at Foss Basin. 

Gill Cooper, City of York Council's head of Arts and Culture, said: "York's rivers have played such an important role in the city's history and are a key part of its character. The Festival of the Rivers gives us chance to celebrate the part they play in life in York, with a host of different activities to appeal to all age groups."

Further information about the events will be available on the council's website at http://www.york.gov.uk/ later this month.

The initiative is part of the council's aim to ensure that York is a City of Culture, where residents and visitors are inspired to free their creative talents and make York the most active city in the country.

 (ENDS)