Entries are open for a hardy annual in a city’s summer events calendar which should make its usual splash in its 191st year, next month.

The Durham Regatta will, as ever, provide two days of back-to-back races on the River Wear, but also a variety of attractions for all-comers.

Entertainment from bands and performers along with a selection of stalls to browse and local foods make it an ideal family event.

Last year 10,000 spectators and more than 1,400 competitors experienced the regatta, on and off river.

The Northern Echo: Entries are being accepted for next month's Durham Regatta, now in its 191st year, from Sunday

With entries expected to flood in from rowing clubs, schools, universities and colleges, this year’s regatta, on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, should live up to its billing as the North’s premier rowing event.

As ever, the regatta will be staged entirely by volunteers, but backed by welcome recent financial support from the City of Durham Parish Council and other funding from local donors helping in the organisation and running of the event.

The organising committee has been putting in preparations throughout the year and entries for competitors are set to open on Sunday (May 19), with the racing timetable being finalised in the week preceding the regatta.

Last year saw entries from as far afield as St Andrews, in Scotland, and the City of Cambridge, as well as an abundance of crews from rowing clubs across the North, particularly from local rivals Newcastle University and Durham University boat clubs.

The Northern Echo: Click the image above for more local eventsClick the image above for more local events (Image: Newsquest)

Most of the racing will be contested over the 700 metre ‘short course’, alongside the Racecourse, providing a close-up view for spectators, while a small number of contests will take place over the 1,800-metre ‘long course’ for which the finish line is further downstream adjacent to The Count’s House.

The regatta dates from 1834, having developed from an annual procession of boats on the River Wear commemorating victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

There is a collection of 57 historic trophies which are presented to winners each year, many having been donated in memory of former rowers and important figures from the region.

In a break with tradition the prize-giving ceremony this year will take place on the evening of Sunday June 9, in the grand marquee at Durham Amateur Rowing Club.

This will provide an opportunity for the trophies to be seen by a wider audience as well as avoiding the organisational complexity of having the racing and prize-giving at different locations.

Prizes will be presented by the Mayor of Durham and the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.

The Northern Echo: Crowds line the banks of the River Wear on the Racecourse, Durham, at last year's regatta

As well as staging the prize-giving, the marquee will house a RowShow throughout the weekend with sportswear retailers including Square Blades, Oddballs, Five57 Sportsgear and others on site. Boatbuilders including Janousek & Stampfli Racing Boats and Fluidesign will also be on hand to provide repair services.

 In addition to the racing, counter attractions for the thousands of regatta-goers include a range of free entertainment and activities for all the family.

Outlets offering a range of food and drink for purchase will be available in the Regatta Enclosure on the Racecourse.

The Northern Echo: The annual display of classic cars provides a counter attraction to the racing on the River Wear at

Entertainment this year will include the annual Classic Car Rally, Viking crafts and re-enactment groups staging mock combat, brass band performances, street theatre, stilt walkers, fairground rides, inflatable games and a bubbleologist.

The Northern Echo: Viking combat re-enactment teams add to the fun on the Racecourse at Durham Regatta

During a break in racing on the Saturday there will be a fun pedalo challenge on the river.

For more Durham stories from The Northern Echo click here

Pictures of rowing and on River Wear for 190th Durham Regatta

Pictures as 'oar-some' weather attracts crowds to the 190th Durham Regatta

First full format regatta for four years draws the crowds to the River Wear in Durham

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It will involve a pedalo race between BBC Radio Newcastle Breakfast Show host Matt Bailey and the Regatta’s chief umpire, Andrew Stephens.

Also attending throughout the weekend will be tv presenter Matt Baker, who hails from a County Durham farming family, who is well-known for his Channel 4 series Travels with Mum and Dad, and Our Dream Farm, as well as his contributions to the BBC’s Countryfile series.

Further details of activities over the regatta weekend are available via durham-regatta.org.uk, the event website.