Thousands lined the Ely riverside yesterday (Sunday July 1) as Aquafest - one of the city’s biggest events - returned for its 40th year.

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Thousands lined the Ely riverside yesterday (Sunday July 1) as Aquafest - one of the city’s biggest events - returned for its 40th year.

After a welcome speech from the Mayor of Ely, fairground rides, charity and commercial stalls provided the entertainment at the event, which is organised by both Ely Rotary clubs

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

There was also a vintage car display, martial arts and wakeboarding demonstrations, a flypast from a World War Two Dakota and, of course, a series of raft races.

Phil Smith, organiser, said: “I thought it went very well. We had glorious weather and a good variety of laughs.

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

“There were lots of stalls and things to watch; people were hopping around from shade to shade.”

Mayor of Ely, Councillor Mike Rouse, said: “There seemed to be an awful lot of people and by the time the raft races were up and running it looked as if there were more this year.

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

“The rafts looked a lot of fun this year, too. Those racing seemed to divide between those who were going to have fun and those who wanted to win it.

“The whole river side was crowded with people, which was really lovely to see.

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

“It was a really good, fun day for people as Aquafest always is. The sun shone and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.”

Cllr Rouse, who arrived in full mayoral attire despite the warm weather, added: “Aquafest has grown enormously over the years. I do think it’s become a real date in the calendar now; everyone pencils the first weekend in July in their diaries for it.”

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: Aquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike RouseAquafest 2018 proved to be “fun-filled day” in Ely this weekend. Picture(s): Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)