Is your business up for the Eel throwing challenge?

Reference: 

020/14

As part of Ely's tenth Eel Festival weekend, businesses across the city are being challenged to compete in the first ever City Centre Eel Throwing Championship.

The competition which will involve teams of up to four from companies and shops across Ely throwing eels (don’t worry they are only stuffed toys) to see who in Ely has the best technique and strongest arm to become the Champion.

The Championship, supported by Ely Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 11am on Friday 2 May at the Market Place in Ely. This is a warm up to the World Eel Throwing Competition, open to everyone, being held on Jubilee Gardens as part of Eel Day and supported by The Cutter Inn.

To celebrate the Festival’s ten years, this year’s activities will last from Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May are going to be bigger than ever and will include a Food and Drink Festival, a Food Safari as well as the old favourites of the parade and the carnival on Jubilee Gardens.

Tracey Harding, Tourism Team Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "With the Eel Festival celebrating its 10th anniversary it was an ideal opportunity to challenge our local businesses to see who is prepared to stand up and throw a stuffed toy eel the furthest. There will of course be time to practise as no special equipment or special clothing is required - competitors in the past have used a stuffed sock in the shape of an eel to try to develop the best technique possible to take account of any special weather conditions.

"The competition is just one of many events which we are organising as part of the biggest Eel Festival we have ever held. There will be a Food and Drink Festival, live music as well as all the Eel favourites. So businesses across Ely you have the chance to become our first City Champion and achieve immorality if you can beat 17 metres the current World record. Now is the time to get in touch if you think you have a team ready to step up to the challenge."

To enter a team for the Championship please contact Lewis Bage on 01353 665555 or email lewis.bage@eastcambs.gov.uk.

For information on all these activities and many other fringe events keep checking out our Eel Festival Weekend page at www.visitely.org.uk and follow us on Twitter @visitely.