RIVERFEST 2025
| DATE: | Sunday 6th July, 2025 |
| WHEN: | See running times below |
| LOCATION 1: | The Weir at Emberton Country Park, off the A509 |
| LOCATION 2: | Riverfest field, South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney |
| ADULTS (18+): | FREE |
| CHILD (3-17): | FREE |
| CHILD (under 3): | FREE |
Important Information
Riverfest is back for another year! This is a FREE, family friendly, 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. We look forward to seeing you there, and wish you an enjoyable time!
The Duck Race is run by the 1st Olney Scouts group. Tickets can be purchased from their stall on the Market Place on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10:30am near the Weir in Emberton Country Park.
If you’d like to take part in the Raft Race or have a stall, see below.
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
Running times:
11:15am: Raft Race scrutineering starts
11:45am: Draw for Raft Race running order
12:00pm: Duck Race (weir to A509 bridge)
12:45pm: Raft Race starts
Location 2:
Riverfest field
South of Swimming Steps, Recreation Ground off East Street
Food and craft stalls
Raft Race finishes here, at Swimming Steps
Live bands
Running times:
12:00pm: Stalls open, including food outlets
Live bands start in marquee (see below)
1:15pm: Rafts begin arriving at Swimming Steps, time approx.
3:00pm: Raft Race presentations on band stage in marquee
5:00pm: Bands finish
Getting to the event
See How to find us.
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 food outlet stalls.
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.
Live bands
We’ll have a band stage in the marquee, with entertainments from 12.00 – 5.00pm:
12:00pm: The Olney Hearts Club Band – local young people’s guitar group
12:35pm: Matt Philcox – a piano singer/songwriter
1.15pm: Mark & Geoff – guitar, keys and singing
2.10pm: Tinkers Lane
3.00pm: Raft Race results
3.20pm: Fisherfolk
4.15pm: Cross Roots
Would you like to enter a Raft Race team?
Enter a team
Would you like a stall at Riverfest?
Pitches are 5m x 5m. Pitch costs are £70 for food and alcohol stalls, £55 for hot drinks stalls, £30 for business and craft stalls, and FOC for charity stalls.