Festivities began on Saturday, when over 200 students took to the streets for a street carnival.

The event was preceded by a “Get Spotted” competition, in which participants attempted to have themselves photographed in the wackiest and most unusual situations wearing their RAG week blue spots. Entries, as usual, demonstrated the most creative and outrageous side of the student body; anyone puzzled at the presence of an azure-spotted streaker in the darkest depths of the University Library may rest assured that there was no cause for alarm.

As part of the carnival, 500 rubber ducks competed for a race on the Cam. One observer noted that the competitors “relished the challenge, taking to it like, well, ducks to water.” The duck race was followed by a Cambridge University Brass Band concert at the Wesley Methodist Church on Saturday evening.

The RAG Fashion Show took place on Monday evening. This black-tie event, with various musical entertainments and a cocktail bar, happened at the Union, showcasing collections from various high street shops, Cambridge’s finest boutiques and the nation’s best student fashion, including designs by Cambridge designer Bethan Bide.

Greg Caterer, a John’s second-year who modelled at the event, said, “It was a great night. I got to prance around in clothes ranging from the stunning to the ridiculous, and we raised loads of money.”

Cambridge RAG raises money for 80 local, national and international charities. All proceeds from RAG Week 2008 will go to the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services, an umbrella group for local charities.

This year’s RAG Week coordinator, Jon Crookes, said, “Rag Week has taken the best part of 6 months planning, and it’s great to see things coming together. This is by far the most action-packed Cambridge RAG Week in living memory – the Fashion Show and Duck Race are both new events – so we’re hoping to significantly raise RAG awareness and of course convert the abundance of events into an abundance of money for our charity.”

Olly West