The 38th annual Chester Rotary Charity Raft Race spectacular takes place on the River Dee on Sunday.
Flyboarder Jay St John will entertain spectators before the race, about 10am, with his water powered flips and spins up to 20ft high in front of the bandstand.
The race has nearly 40 entries from many varied and interesting rafts.
The main beneficiary charity this year is Cheshire Young Carers.
Crafts will launched from The Meadows for the start of the race at around 10.30am in groups of four.
The 400 metre course takes the battling rafters under the suspension bridge to the finishing point by the recorder’s steps just above the weir.
There are prizes awarded for the crew with the fastest overall time, ladies and hostelry categories together with best interpretation of the race theme which this year is songs, nursery rhymes and limericks.
Among those battling it out for top honours are a crew of women who are friends and family from Flint and Holywell Rotary Club, in their Rod Stewart Sailing themed raft sponsored by the Druid Inn of Gorsedd.
Their captain Theresa Sharp and crew will be aiming to repeat last year’s success when they were the fastest ladies raft to finish.
Other participants include many well known names from the business and local community, as well as a return entry from Old Harkers Arms who have entertained the crowd in many previous years with their Lotus car, ski jump and wagon train creations.
This year’s entry is the Yellow Submarine skippered by Paul Jeffery and crew Mike Skinner, Aaron “Sid” Allen, Samantha Rothery and Jenny Love.
Spectators are encouraged to give generously to Cheshire Young Carers and other worthy causes supported by Chester Rotary, through a bucket collection in the vicinity and by taking a programme listing the entrants.
Parking is available on The Meadows, with a donation to the appeal, and is accessed through Lower Park Road, Queens Park.
Main sponsorship support is from Survitec Group, Birkenhead-based manufacturers of marine survival equipment including Crewsaver lifejackets and life rafts.
