It isn't really a local celebration, but there isn't a category for international rowing events on this site!

The Regatta takes place at the end of June, and beginning of July every summer - in 2001 from 4th to 8th July. It's been held every year since 1839, apart from 1914-1918, and 1939-1945, of course. The races are run in heats, with two boats in each. This way of doing things means races start every 5 minutes or so, to fit them all in!

Henley is as much a social event as an important sporting occasion. Along with Ascot and Wimbledon, it was (and still is, to a more limited extent), and important part of the 'Season'. This was the process by which debutantes were launched on to society at the age of 17 or 18, and, with any luck, married off.