Shrewsbury River Festival to mark Diamond Jubilee

Shrewsbury and Shropshire Waterways & Leisure Group promise a fantastic family fun day out during the Shrewsbury River Festival which takes place between 10am and 5pm.

Activities will be based on the River Severn around The Quarry which will be decorated with red, white and blue bunting and with music from steel, jazz and brass bands.

Organisers are encouraging patriotic fancy dress and decorated boats plus noisy fog horns, whistles and drums for the grand Flotilla Parade. A prize for the most patriotic boat is also being offered.

The Queen has sent her best wishes to the festival’s organisers.

Michael Connor, Chairman of Shrewsbury Tourism, and Vice Chairman of the River Festival Committee received the letter which said:

“I am delighted that the organisers of the River Festival are helping people from across the United Kingdom and further afield to hold a River Festival as part of the celebrations to mark my Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

"I send my very best wishes to you and all of those who will be present for what I hope will be a most memorable and enjoyable event” Elizabeth R’

Michael Connor said: “This is really wonderful gesture and very much appreciated. On behalf of the people of Shrewsbury I am delighted to receive such a wonderful letter. The River Festival promises to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in some style so I am really looking forward to the event”.

The festival will also see the launch of a river safety campaign led by Britain’s Got Talent star and swimming coach Zoe Cooper. The campaign aims to educate about the dangers of the river and follows the deaths of 29 people in Shrewsbury since 2006.

Further details on the festival can be found at http://www.shrewsburyriverfestival.co.uk.