A FEAST of entertainment will be on offer to crowds at this year’s Bradford Dragonboat Festival.

While competitors take to the water at the event, held on the River Aire at Roberts Park, Saltaire, from Friday, May 5, to Sunday, May 7, entertainment will take place at the venue for visitors during the second two days of the festival.

Zumba classes and taekwondo and jujitsu demonstrations will be held on a specially-constructed stage at the park, on both the Saturday and Sunday. On the Saturday, music will be provided by several acts including Sleepy Jake and the Duvets, Hoodoo Operators and Black Falcon.

Sunday’s musical acts include Phil Dirt and the Heavy Machines and solo singers Johnny Bedford and Dave McKinley.

An inflatable army assault course and a climbing wall will be available to thrillseekers. A fire engine will also be on display from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Magic will be provided by members of the Bradford Magic Circle. Both days’ entertainment will take place between 11am and 6pm.

Gail Dignam, head of entertainment for the festival and co-owner of Al’s Dime Bar in Bradford, said: “There will be plenty going on in and around the park. It will be a great family day out and plenty for sporty people and music lovers. There will be something for everyone to do and so many things that it will be impossible to get bored.”

The event, held on a 200-metre-long course on the river, will take place over three days for the first time this year.

A youth competition will get the festival under way on Friday with its youth championship, where teams of youngsters aged 11 to 19 taking to the water.

This will be followed by a main festival day on Saturday with 40 competing teams, each featuring 16 paddlers and one drummer, taking part in two rounds of heats. They will be racing against the clock, with the three fastest teams battling it out for the title in the day’s final. Crowds will be treated to entertainment including music, during the event.

Saturday’s races will also be shown live on big screens in both Roberts Park and City Park.

Places are still available for the corporate championship held on Sunday, May 7. This is open to teams of both residents and businesses from across the district. Teams of 17 people in each boat. For more information, or to sign up to take part on Sunday, go to bradforddragonboatfestival.co.uk.