Ely Rotary’s Aquafest this year was undoubtedly the largest ever - and one of the best - with an estimated crowd of around 10,000 people enjoying yesterday’s near-perfect weather.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Top of the bill at the arena was the Vikings re-enactment act, with the Vikings continually “fighting”, and bodies lying all over the place.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Eric Grant, rotary club secretary, said: “After their main re-enactments small children were invited to join them, being handed out all sorts of weapons, and they brought screams of laughter from the considerable crowd; with five groups assembled to join in.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“Another act was Harriett Maddox, who enticed a huge following with her popular songs, finishing with the incredible Glen Miller rendering of “Boogie Woogie bugle boy of Company B”.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“And, amongst others, the Energy Fitness for Women group – who were not listed with the performers on the programme – demonstrated how ladies in particular can keep trim.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“Results of the raft races were: First prize for category A fastest single-hulled craft went to Thor Labs; first for fastest Category B craft was by JDR Cables of Littleport, who also attracted the Mayor’s Buoyant Business award; and first for best-decorated craft went to Spring Meadow school in High Barns.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“The scouts, as usual, had their own races across the river, and the overall winner was 3rd Ely Scouts.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“A new water attraction was the Hannams Wake Hub, which involved a team of wake-boarders flying over a ramp built in the river. Another exciting event.

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

“Overall, Aquafest 2017 could be described as a fantastic day for Ely, with a record number of stalls and some incredible acts.”

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)

Ely Standard: Ely Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSEEly Aquafest 2017. Picture: MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)