Looks like the Maidstone River Festival IS going ahead.

Boats moored up there already, in fact for over a week now, i did wonder what was going on.
Theres been a fairline sunfury with a red canopy moored there for over 3 months now, must be really keen!


Lynall
 
Unless im mistaken there are no berths just a few concrete bollards on the town side where all the action happens, there must be something to moor to on the other side as theres quite often boats there, assuming you can moor up that side during the festival?



Lynall
 
It is purely on a first come first served basis. Boats moor to the bollards and to rings which the council put in the pavement. About a week before the festival the boats all turn stern to ala European style to create more room. Leaving it to the day is rather a gamble if you want to be right in the centre but whatever you do, the festival is worth a visit.
 
Its a turn up and take your chance event.We always moor on the North bank next to the outlets TKmax etc .There is the odd ring in the wall and in places some dodgy old safety chains you can get a rope round,this is probably only for the more adventurous boater .
We go that side because its quieter and less passing pedestrians plus you get a good view of what the riff raff get up to on the other bank ?.
Of late they has always been somewhere to park provided you are a bit inventive about what you moor to.
The fire works,usually on the roof of House of Frazer,have always been some of the best we have seen and we are serial free firework display junkies.

DSCN4678.jpg
 
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[QUOTE=oldgit; plus you get a good view of what the riff raff get up to on the other bank ?.

Riff raff indeed, I always moor up on the Town side! :p
 
I would say that if you get there late there will always be somewhere to moore. For the last few years the central part hasn't even had any boats on the north side. This is not because less boats are coming but because all the riverfront in the photo was developed a few years back and used to be just bushes and not somewhere to stop. So it's all a bit more spread out.
One thing I would say is that there will always be a gathering on that weekend. Even with council backing they seem to ignore boaters and concentrate on shore side things and the boaters just have their own fun. Last year when it was cancelled, there was still a reasonable turn out and that was with people not sure if it was worth going. I'm sure if it was cancelled again lots of people would turn out, it's just there would be less bunting and no fireworks.
 
BOGOF

It has been hinted by those in the know that the EA will be doing a bit of special deal for anybody coming up to the river festival via the lock on Friday.....
Two days for the price of one.....:)

Please do not shoot the messenger if this is not the case.:(
 
Apparently Teston lock is temporarily back in operation for the weekend, best to check with allington lockie first, cant believe they are still working on it, was due to be finished March!


Lynall
 
Just been down there and counted 60 boats at present, so should be a good turnout.
Spoke to one guy who was dying his springer spaniel green, he said the dog loves it as then everyone wants to stroke it!


Lynall
 
Even more boats there now, two barges i guess for the band, a few tugs possibly bought the barges up, looks like its going to be real busy.


Lynall
 
I attended the river festival yesterday, and the event was much smaller than usual. No fireworks or funfair this year, but there were still a lot of bands performing. However, nowhere near as many boats showed up this year as in previous years. I think this festival is sadly beginning to die.
 
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