ELY celebrates its historic connection with the humble eel this Saturday with a packed programme of events for the young and young-at-heart. Eel Day starts at 10.30am with a procession from Cross Green, next to the cathedral, led by Ellie the Eel. The car

ELY celebrates its historic connection with the humble eel this Saturday with a packed programme of events for the young and young-at-heart.

Eel Day starts at 10.30am with a procession from Cross Green, next to the cathedral, led by Ellie the Eel.

The carnival style parade will include music from Ely's Samba Band as it makes its way along part of the Eel Trail Heritage Walk into the city centre and then down to Waterside and into Jubilee Gardens for a whole host of eel related activities.

There will be traditional music from the City of Ely Waits and entertainment from the Lantern School dancers and the Funk It Up Dance Group. Fenland Jam will also include musical talent from across East Cambridgeshire.

Ten visiting town criers will compete in the annual Town Crier Competition including seven of the country's best criers and their escorts.

Among the competitors are criers who are World, European and British champions, so this really will be something to shout about.

Criers are judged against several categories so it is not necessarily the loudest voice that wins. They are judged on volume and clarity, diction and inflection, confidence and bearing, engaging the audience and content and accuracy of their cry.

For youngsters at Eel Day there is the Fortune's Fool Puppet Show and Jez-O the magician and you can try your hand at the eel throwing competition to see who can throw the handmade eel socks the furthest distance.

A pottery workshop, willow basket making and a chance to try jellied eels at Bunning's Fish Stall are guaranteed to prove interesting to visitors.

Experience life in years gone past with a living encampment showing the trades and wares of the time. Children can try on period costumes and play period games.

There will be the chance to taste smoked and jellied eels as well as more conventional forms of food, including a hog roast.

Representatives from the Environment Agency will man a stall with live eels.

Ely Lions, who have once again worked closely with East Cambridgeshire District Council and Arts Development in East Cambridgeshire (ADeC) to bring Ely this annual event, will be out in force helping steward the procession as well as manning their traditional Tombola.

Local eel catcher, Peter Carter will be on hand to show you all his catching equipment and Eel Pie Folk Band will perform all day outside the Cutter pub.

Tracey Harding, tourism team leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "The day is all about celebrating Ely's culture and traditions and encouraging awareness and use of the Eel Trail. We hope to continue to build on this unique event each year and involve more and more businesses and organisations and further raise the profile of the Isle of Eels.

"Whatever the weather, Eel Day is always a success as it is so vibrant, colourful and extravagant but all about the humble little eel.