This year, sees an expansion of the ROAR, the only Festival of its kind in the region, with all the much-loved favourites plus some new and exciting additions. Events will take place throughout the summer (17 June to 30 September), marking the 2017 Festival as the longest and most ambitious yet.
Kicking off the summer months’ extravaganza on 17 June are the Corporate Games, an event that sees teams of six people from a range of organisations and institutions pit their wits and strength against their opponents in a series of obstacles, trials and games. Teams can be made up from all walks of life, from estate agents and artists to police and politicians.
This year, there are six activities during the Corporate Games: Little Landies, Giant Zorbing Balls, Segways, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Sprint Tunnel and F1 Pit Stop Challenge. Sessions run from 10am-1pm with 12 teams and 2pm-5pm with a further 12 teams. The day also includes a BBQ lunch for all teams.
Tony Murdock, Founder and Director of the Cambridge ROAR, said: “This is the perfect way to build employee confidence, loyalty and team spirit. Competing with other local organisations, it’s a great opportunity to network within the Cambridgeshire business community and potentially reach new clients, new business, and new customers. You could also prove your team is worthy of the Winner’s Trophy!”
If rolling about in a giant inflatable ball is not for some, there is the more refined Champagne Dinner on 21 June, during which diners can immerse themselves in VIP luxury. On arrival, guests will be greeted on the red carpet with their first taste of one of the luxury champagnes and a glimpse into the evening’s glittering theme of fire and ice. The Quy Mill Hotel’s historic Waterwheel room is set to be transformed, for one night only, into an opulent Icelandic escape where diners can enjoy a lavish three-course menu. Every course is perfectly complemented by a selected glass of champagne, while the special guest for the evening will guide diners through each taste. Following the dinner, there will be a Charity Auction with the chance to win an array of luxury prizes, including one top prize of the evening.
Continuing with the glamour, on 24 June the red carpet Summer Ball launches summer with an exciting black tie bonanza. The elegant Summer Ball promises a delightful evening to remember with three courses, followed by an auction to bid for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and culminating in a live band to dance the balmy summer night away. This event is proving very popular and tickets are selling fast.
Horseracing also has its glitzy side and this is certainly proven true during the Final Furlong dinner on 28 June, which is always an odds-on favourite. Diners can enjoy another champagne evening in the ROAR ‘winner’s enclosure’ (a purpose-built marquee) followed by a sumptuous two-course dinner. The host for the evening is none other than the infamous racing presenter and commentator Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson (TV Broadcaster and Radio 5 Live).
Tommo will be engaging in lively repartee with a racing panel (details to be announced); for horseracing fans this is a chance to take a step behind the scenes and hear from the Jockeys and Trainers themselves what it means to be a part of this ‘Sport of Kings’. There will also be a fast-paced racing game, providing diners with the chance to show off their lucky streak and take a gamble for charity.
Speaking ahead of the event, Tommo said: “The Final Furlong dinner really is one of the best nights out of the year. We always have a lot of fun and it’s a great night out. There’s lots of racing chat and tips and everyone seems to love it. It’s also a fantastic corporate night out; companies can entertain their best clients all while raising money for very deserving charities. The charity auction always has such fabulous items. I’m looking forward to it already!”
On the following day, 29 June, The Cambridge Roar B2B Exhibition is an opportunity for businesses in Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties to promote their products and services, and build connections with other local organisations. The exhibition is always a great networking opportunity, with speed networking sessions throughout the day, plus two topical and engaging seminars – all free to attend!
On 30 June, the ROAR is set to host another delightful Afternoon Tea, an event synonymous with a few hours of relaxed languor, chat and limitless cups of whatever tea tickles the sipper’s fancy not to mention the ceremony and the very Britishness of it. The perfect afternoon out with a chance to browse an array of beautiful items from our pop up shops (champagne in hand), do business over scones and jam, or just relax with a scrumptious sweet, all accompanied by live entertainment in the ROAR purpose-built marquee.
As the summer gets into full swing so do a bunch of novice pugilists on 1 July during the ROAR’s White Collar Boxing event. Following weeks of training, these fearless fighters will get into the ring in front of hundreds of people to fight their opponent. This promises to be an adrenalin-fuelled evening, not for the faint of heart.
The ROAR then takes a short break and returns in full force in September for five more events, kicking off with the Sporting Heroes dinner and silent auction, hosted by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann on 14 September. Following a three-course dinner to delight all gourmands, Chris will be interviewing a panel of sporting heroes, providing a glimpse into the inner-world of the professional sportsman (or woman), as well as first-hand accounts of their time in the industry, and those inevitable insider anecdotes. Names already confirmed for the panel include British racing driver, Mark Blundell, who competed in Formula 1 for four seasons, sports cars, and CART. Most notably, he won the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans. Also confirmed is Steve Pavros Parrish, former motorcycle and truck racer, now a motorsport television commentator and speaker/entertainer.
Next up is the Comedy Night on 22 September, always a firm favourite with the punters, followed by the Cambridge Fashion Show on 23 September, which offers an exclusive catwalk event and a one-off opportunity to experience a taste of London Fashion Week here in our own city.
The penultimate Cambridge ROAR 2017 event is the Cambridge Magazine Wedding Fair on 24 June, for all those blushing brides and grooms.
The fundraising Festival’s grand finale is the Fire and Ice Ball on 30 September. Diners can expect a glittering frozen world, dazzling fire displays, delectable food and oodles of glamour. The closing ball is always one to remember, with a three-course dinner, fantastic entertainment, and the opportunity to dance the night away to a live band. The event also includes a high-profile auction.
All funds raised from the ROAR events and charity auctions go directly to the ROAR’s three chosen charities, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Cambridge United Community Trust.
To pre-book events, visit the ROAR website: www.thecambridgeroar.co.uk or call 01223 378 111
Visit the Festival’s twitter site @CambridgeRoar #ROAR17, or Facebook page thecambridgeroarltd
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