Olney Riverfest 2023
OLNEY RIVERFEST was held on Sunday 2nd July 2023.
Riverfest is back for another year! This is a free to enter one day event, based around the River Great Ouse. It combines a Duck Race, an amateur Raft Race, plus craft, food and drink stalls and live bands. Riverfest Rocks will also be returning, on the evening of Saturday 1st July.
Riverfest Locations
As in previous years, this will be a dual location event:
Location 1: The Weir at Emberton Country Park, off the A509:
Duck Race (starts and finishes here)
Raft Race starts here
Location 2: Riverfest field, South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney:
Stalls
Raft Race finishes here, at Swimming Steps
Live bands
For more information including directions between the two locations, see How to find us.
Getting to the event
See How to find us.
Bringing your dog
Dogs are welcome at our event. Please keep your dog on a lead and clean up after any mess it makes.
Running times
The Weir at Emberton Country Park, off the A509:
11:15am: Raft Race scrutineering starts
11:45am: Draw for Raft Race running order
12:00pm: Duck Race
12:45pm: Raft Race starts
Riverfest field, South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney:
General times:
11:00am: Stalls open, including food outlets
12:00pm: Live bands start in marquee
12:30pm: The Great Gappo circus workshop begins
1:15pm: Rafts begin arriving at Swimming Steps, time approx.
3:00pm: Raft Race presentations on band stage in marquee
6:00pm: Bands finish
What's on at the Riverfest field?
While you wait for the rafts to arrive at the swimming steps, there's lots to do. We'll have food, charity, craft stalls, children's fairground rides and, of course, don't forget the bars. Why not take a day off from the hassle of bringing along a picnic? We have catered for a wide range of tastes, with a fantastic array of ten food outlet stalls. BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!! Come and browse our great selection of craft stalls. Why not treat yourself or find a gift for someone special, something unique is waiting for you. Don't forget that our local charities will be there fundraising and have advice on hand. And, in the marquee, you'll find the band stage featuring live music from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
Band stage
We have live music from 12:00pm to 6:00pm:
12:00-12:20pm: Olney Hearts Club Band - guitar group
12:35-12:50pm: Naniene Roberts
1.00-1.15pm: Trevor Aldred
1:30-2:00pm: Neil Armstrong
2:15-3:00pm: Tinkers Lane - Summer tunes and beautiful noise!
3:00-3:15pm: Raft Race awards presentation
3:15-3:45pm: Chilli Pirates - Pirated tunes jazzed for your edification
4:00-4:30pm: Ninth Life (Milton Keynes College)
4:45-5:00pm: The Concrete Cow Club - a two-piece, one on ukulele and one violin
5:15-6:00pm: The Sam Wilkinson Band - a three-piece blues band
Thank you to our Sponsor!
Thank you to the kind sponsor of Riverfest 2023, McCarthy Stone.
Riverfest is back for another year! This is a free to enter one day event, based around the River Great Ouse. It combines a Duck Race, an amateur Raft Race, plus craft, food and drink stalls and live bands. Riverfest Rocks will also be returning, on the evening of Saturday 1st July.
Riverfest Locations
As in previous years, this will be a dual location event:
Location 1: The Weir at Emberton Country Park, off the A509:
Duck Race (starts and finishes here)
Raft Race starts here
Location 2: Riverfest field, South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney:
Stalls
Raft Race finishes here, at Swimming Steps
Live bands
For more information including directions between the two locations, see How to find us.
Getting to the event
See How to find us.
Bringing your dog
Dogs are welcome at our event. Please keep your dog on a lead and clean up after any mess it makes.
Running times
The Weir at Emberton Country Park, off the A509:
11:15am: Raft Race scrutineering starts
11:45am: Draw for Raft Race running order
12:00pm: Duck Race
12:45pm: Raft Race starts
Riverfest field, South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney:
General times:
11:00am: Stalls open, including food outlets
12:00pm: Live bands start in marquee
12:30pm: The Great Gappo circus workshop begins
1:15pm: Rafts begin arriving at Swimming Steps, time approx.
3:00pm: Raft Race presentations on band stage in marquee
6:00pm: Bands finish
What's on at the Riverfest field?
While you wait for the rafts to arrive at the swimming steps, there's lots to do. We'll have food, charity, craft stalls, children's fairground rides and, of course, don't forget the bars. Why not take a day off from the hassle of bringing along a picnic? We have catered for a wide range of tastes, with a fantastic array of ten food outlet stalls. BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!! Come and browse our great selection of craft stalls. Why not treat yourself or find a gift for someone special, something unique is waiting for you. Don't forget that our local charities will be there fundraising and have advice on hand. And, in the marquee, you'll find the band stage featuring live music from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
Band stage
We have live music from 12:00pm to 6:00pm:
12:00-12:20pm: Olney Hearts Club Band - guitar group
12:35-12:50pm: Naniene Roberts
1.00-1.15pm: Trevor Aldred
1:30-2:00pm: Neil Armstrong
2:15-3:00pm: Tinkers Lane - Summer tunes and beautiful noise!
3:00-3:15pm: Raft Race awards presentation
3:15-3:45pm: Chilli Pirates - Pirated tunes jazzed for your edification
4:00-4:30pm: Ninth Life (Milton Keynes College)
4:45-5:00pm: The Concrete Cow Club - a two-piece, one on ukulele and one violin
5:15-6:00pm: The Sam Wilkinson Band - a three-piece blues band
Thank you to our Sponsor!
Thank you to the kind sponsor of Riverfest 2023, McCarthy Stone.
