Summer Riverside Festival

Preparations are being made to celebrate the past, present and future of the River Nene this summer with a Riverside Festival. 

 

On Sunday 7 August live music, dancing groups, battling knights, decorated boats and exciting sports activities will be among the attractions in Becket's Park as Northampton celebrates the River Nene. 

 

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the River Nene becoming navigable. It is an important date in the history of the town as for the first time traders and businesses in Northampton could easily sell goods and buy materials with other parts of the country. 

 

As traditional heavy industry moved away from using the River,  the leisure industry grew with more and more people enjoying canal holidays and the wildlife along the riverside. The canals have become so popular that an impressive 80 berth Marina was created for river users in Beckets Park . 

 

This summer's Riverside Festival is set to be a fantastic family day out with something for everyone to enjoy including:

 

• Free boat trips,
• Tours of the new Marina,
• Canoe taster sessions,
• Water zorbing from Get Wet Dry,
• Live music From Dave Barry Band and a steel band,
• Street theatre from Maynard FlipFlap, 
• Local dance group performances,
• Northamptonshire food tasting court,
• Battle re-enactments and medieval demonstrations,
• Craft workshops,
• Only Fools and Buffs,
• Raffles and prize draws,
• And, much more.

Councillor Michael Hill, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for community engagement said: "The River Nene has always been important to Northampton and its people, and the Riverside Festival gives an opportunity for everyone in the town to have fun on what we all hope will be a sunny Sunday.  The wide variety of attractions offer all the family something different to enjoy, and I hope everyone will come along to Becket's Park to find out more about how the river is continuing to shape the town as a leisure attraction."

 

The event is being sponsored by Northampton Town Centre BID, David Williams Financial Services,  Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership. We also have fantastic prizes to be won kindly donated by Royal and Derngate, 78 Derngate, House of Fraser, Canoe2, Nene Valley Boats, Daily Bread and The Saints amongst others.

For more information, a programme of the day and full list of prizes please visit www.northampton.gov.uk