Leicester Canal Festival
Posted on May 9, 2008, 6:37 pm
T. Robson
If you didn’t get enough of canals and boats at this years Loughborough Canal and Boat Festival there is one in Leicester coming up shortly.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend Leicester’s Riverside Festival for a weekend of family fun and entertainment.
With over 60 activities and performances along the city’s riverside over two days there really is something for everyone. The festival takes place on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June on Western Boulevard, Bede Park and along the waterside area. The fun starts at each day at 12 noon.
Riverside Festival 2008 has four activity areas: the river and waterside, live music, family fun, and Ride the Riverside cycling event.
On the river and waterside:
The decorated boat parade takes place on Saturday (7th). Visitors can vote for the best decorated boat during the day and see boats parade on the river from 5.30pm. This well-loved festival event is sponsored by Riverside Housing. A pair of working vintage narrow boats - ‘Nuneaton’ and ‘Brighton’ – owned by The Narrow Boat Trust will be one of the nautical highlights for boating enthusiasts. These two boats are making their debut joint appearance at the Riverside Festival, and festival goers are invited onboard to see the boatman’s cabin, and find out more about the history and heritage of working narrow boats.
The PROSTaid Dragon Boat Race returns for the second year on Sunday (8th), with races involving local teams throughout the day, with the final at 4.45pm. This event is organised by the PROSTaid charity and was extremely popular last year.
Live music:
Fans of the highly acclaimed BBC 2 series ‘The Choir’ will be able to see a live performance from The Lancaster School choir 3.30pm on Sunday (8th). Sally Barker of the Poozies folk band will be headlining on the music stage on Bede Park from 7pm on Saturday evening.
Family fun and activities:
Family entertainment includes a Viking re-enactment group, falconry displays, circus skills workshops and a puppet show. Other attractions include a climbing wall and crafts workshops and activities.
Ride the Riverside – cycling activities As part of National Bike Week, cycling will make a spectacular appearance at the Riverside Festival. Prepare for some jaw-dropping stunt riding from the Inertia BMX Demonstration Team, featuring Leicester’s own European flatland BMX champion Keelan Phillips.
There will also be a bicycle test ride arena, rickshaw rides and advice on cycling and cycle maintenance. There is free, secure parking for anyone arriving at Riverside Festival by bike.
The Orange Tree real ale and cider tent will be open throughout the festival. Full details of the Riverside Festival are available online at www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals.
Add to bookmarks: Google Facebook del.icio.us digg.com yahoo
Back to Loughborough News home page