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Highlights from the 26th Maidstone River Festival - 28-31
July 2005.
Weather or not!
Sunshine and showers dominated the 26th Maidstone River Festival.
Despite rain for most of Saturday, it failed to dampen the
mood and fortunately the rain held off for the illuminated
boat parade and the Fremlin Walk Firework Finale.
 Festival
weekend kicked off on Thursday with a continental market in
Bank Street and Lower High Street. This continued on the Friday
alongside a range of activities along the banks of the River
Medway. The team from ITV Meridian were by the river joining
in the fun, with presenters Charlotte Hawkins, Gemma Humphries,
Geoff Moody and Sarah Saunders, bringing the festival to millions
of viewers.
Saturday started with sunshine but soon the clouds rolled
in and the rain came down. This didn't deter thousands of
people coming along to see the hundreds of boats, many of
which were decorated in the Trafalgar theme, and a variety
of activities and entertainment on and along the river and
around Maidstone town centre.
The Fairview Festival Stage and the HRM SoundStage showcased
some fantastic bands, whilst acts due to appear at the Hermitage
Millennium Amphitheatre were moved to All Saints Church, where
an audience glad to escape the showers were treated to some
superb entertainment. In Palace Gardens the Mandy Ellen School
of Dance boasted one of the biggest crowds all day long.
 The
Los Koas street theatre performers never fail to impress.
This year's acts were simply stunning. People were mesmerised
by their shows, which featured larger than life characters.
The Lockmeadow Centre was a hive of activity. Model boat
and car displays, a steam traction engine and steam railway,
BMX displays, Sharon Kennard School of Dance and much more.
On the water, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Horne, led
the County Town Cruise on La Dafrae to welcome people to the
26th River Festival. 15 teams came together to support the
Heart of Kent Hospice Raft Race and despite the weather our
illuminated boat parade went ahead, with participants determined
to show their displays, most of which take hours to prepare.
The weekend was rounded off with a Strongman competition
at the Lockmeadow Centre and a Club Class River Festival special
at the River Bar, which featured Deep Dish. It was one of
three UK appearances to promote their new album.
Yet again Maidstone River Festival was a success. It brought
the people of Maidstone and beyond together to celebrate the
town's greatest natural asset. A small team of volunteers
sat back proud that the event they had planned for ten months
had come off and had given a town the size of Maidstone with
an event it truly deserves.
Maidstone River Festival Charity
 The
Heart of Kent Hospice was the official charity for the 2005
festival.
The Heart of Kent Hospice is a specialist palliative care
unit whose purpose is to provide expert care and support for
patients with advanced cancer, motor neurone disease or other
life threatening illness where curative treatment is no longer
possible.
The Heart of Kent Hospice supports Maidstone and the surrounding
area and is only able to fundraise within this boundary. Hospice
care is free and this year we need to raise £2.2 million.
They are dependent upon the support of the community in order
to continue our care.
Raft Race Results
1. Port Werburgh
2. Bryant Homes - Pearson's Pride
3. Eccleston Motor Company
Best-dressed raft: The Territorial
Army (TA Ambulance)
Best Dressed Boat Results
1. Lisa's
2. Sleeping Tiger
Caught on camera!
Photographs
from the 26th Maidstone River Festival
Sponsors
And to those who supported the event
Associated Building Company, Coca-Cola, David Stephens AudioVisuals,
Environment Agency, Firestarter Media Group, Graham Clarke,
Heart of Kent Hospice, Hospital Radio Maidstone, ITV Meridian,
Kent Highways, Just4 Printing, Kentish Lady Cruisers, Maestro,
Maidstone Register Office, Maidstone Visitor Information Centre,
Maidstone and Malling Police, Medway River Users Association,
St John Ambulance, Speedy Hire, SiteMasters, Survey Express,
Travis Perkins, TNT, Wallis Limited.
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