Chippenham River Festival 2011: what's on

The river Avon will be buzzing with activity again this August Bank Holiday with the return of the Chippenham River festival.

 

Now in its third year, the river festival is a celebration of the Avon and everything it offers the town.

 

You may have noticed it – it's the big expanse of water that weaves through Monkton Park and the town centre – we don't tend to make much use of it but the river festival aims to change all this.

 

Chippenham River Festival 2011 will be held on August 27 and 28 and the theme will be "Wind in the Willows – Messing About on the River"

 

This year's sponsors include Invensys Rail Borough Parade and Emery Gate shopping centre.

The main event will be a raft race, taking place on Saturday from 10am.

Teams will build their own rafts and race them in a choice of 4 different categories.  At 12:30pm the Red Devils will be parachuting in with a display to wow spectators.  Or watch the Sailing Club event further up the river.

On Sunday there will be a 'Big Swim' – apparently 50 swimmers have already registered!

 

The White Helmets motorcycle display team from the Royal Signals Regiment of the British Army will be performing at 11am and 3 pm on Sunday. Also on Sunday will be the first rowing flotilla with a single skull, a double and a four showing their skills: Steve Redgrave's Olympic four will be on display on shore.

Across both days, in the Park itself, there is the Adrenalin Zone, the Kids Zone and the River Zone for those who want to learn about our river - past, present and future: a catering tent, and a (non-alcoholic) refreshment tent.

And Paul Connell from the Chippenham Museum will be taking guided walks and talking through displays on the river's history. (more details on this to follow so check back!)

For full details about the event, got to www.chippenhamriverfestival.co.uk