Thrilling 'Presto' Flamingo Chase and much more planned for Waterways Fun Day

A thrilling ‘Presto’ Flamingo Chase will be keeping visitors entertained as they enjoy hours of fun at the annual Maidenhead Waterways Fun Day this weekend.

The popular free event is back for another year in the town centre on Saturday, September 14 and will offer up many exciting activities, attractions, stalls and lots of food and drink.

From 10am to 3pm there will be plenty of action to enjoy in the High Street, amphitheatre, Maudesley Gardens and on the waterway itself.

Magician Patrick Ashe, a member of the Magic Circle who appeared on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, will be looking to impress crowds with his tricks.

There will be canoe demos and plenty of action on the waterway, including model boats in the northern basin and activities from the scouts and Claires Court canoe club.

An action-packed Flamingo chase will entertain visitors twice across the day and there will be a host of stalls offering a variety of treats, including food and crafts.

Visitors will have the chance to have a go at hook-a-duck and free attractions including a balloon fairy, ‘pirates’ and a bubble artist will roam the event entertaining guests on the day.

Youngsters will enjoy pedal planes and a mobile farm, featuring an array of animals including a donkey, Shetland pony, goats, lambs, ducks and chickens.

Visitors will also get to tour the waterways on free boat rides throughout the event.

The occasion is being organised by the Friends of Maidenhead Waterways (FoMW) with the aim of achieving a number of goals including celebrating the progress of the waterway restoration and bringing more people into the town centre.

A civic welcome will be given during the event, which will be attended by Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds, Royal Borough council leader Simon Werner, mayor Cllr Simon Bond and his consort David Armitage.

As well as a range of activities, an action-packed programme of live entertainment will keep people singing and dancing throughout the day.

It will see the Devine Buskers take to the stage, set up next to the stag statue, with musician Elaine Skillen entertaining crowds later on.

Later in the day, opera singer Joanna Henwood will perform, and guests will also get to enjoy some Motown and reggae tunes from musician Glenn Stevenson.

Trained mezzo-soprano singer Charis Anne Luke will be entertaining guests and Ellington Morris dancers will also be showcasing their skills.

The live entertainment will conclude with a performance from the Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band.

Richard Davenport, chair of FoMW, said: “We are excited to be bringing a super range of stalls, displays and free live entertainment for everyone to enjoy, while the waterway itself will be bustling with activity all day.

“Thanks to the generosity of sponsors the Waterside Quarter, the Louis Baylis Trust and Presto Italian, most of the activities will be completely free for everyone to enjoy.

“Any canoeists interested in joining the opening parade are asked to get in touch at contact@maidenheadwaterways.org for more details.”