What better way to spend Father’s Day than by the river? Come along to River Festival 2019, a free family festival celebrating maritime Medway.
Come along to the River Festival, a free family festival celebrating maritime Medway.
There'll be plenty of water and land activities. Come along and get involved - it's taking place on Father's Day, so why not bring the whole family?
The main viewing area will be Chatham Waterfront between Sun Pier (by B&M) and the end of the walkway outside Gun Wharf.
Highlights
Highlights include:
- have-a-go water activities including canoeing and kayaks (bring a towel!)
- hovercraft displays
- historic boat sail past
- Fire Tug - watch out for their spinning water pistol!
- exploring a giant inflatable 18metre whale (details below)
- RE Army Boat Display - they will also have a boat on land
- Fire Tug Water demonstration
- arts and crafts in Chatham Library (details below)
- dancing on the pier (details below)
Schedules
Water activities:
- 12noon: Army Display Team
- 12.30pm: Hovercraft Display
- 1pm: Sail Past including Historic Vessels
- 1.30pm: SAR Flight and River Rescue Demonstration
- 2pm: Fire Tug Display (look out for their famous spinning pistol)
- 2.30pm: Hovercraft Display
- 3.30pm: Army Display Team
*Please note times may be subject to change
Dance on the Pier schedule
Formerly known as The Big Dance, Dance on the Pier will be taking place and will include a mix of dance genres, ages and will also include some have-a-go sessions between 12noon to 4pm.
- 12noon: Moving Memory Dance Theatre – Tipping the Balance
- 12.15pm: Dance Alley
- 12.25pm: Essence Dance
- 12.30pm: Jade Street Dancers Troupe
- 12.50pm: The Right Step Dance Company – Creative Dance workshop
- 1.20pm: Cossons
- 1.30pm: Paradox
- 1.35pm: The Right Step Dance Company - Active Armchairs Workshop
- 2.10pm: Moving Memory Dance Theatre
- 2.25pm: Tai Chi/Chinese Dance
- 2.35pm: Hackett-Kyne Irish Dancing
- 2.45pm: Loop Dance Company – Family Friendly Workshop
- 3.15pm: Moving Memory Dance Theatre
- 3.30pm: Upside Down Dance Academy
- 3.40pm: Rheinstones Dance Company - The Daily Commute, Seniors, Juniors, Groups
- 3.50pm: AMG Dance - Funky Ballet Workshop
- 3.55pm: James Walsh – Hip Hop solo artist
*Please note times may be subject to change
Highlights in more detail
The Whale: Plastic Bag Jellyfish Show
A highlight this year is the giant inflatable 18 metre whale.
You can step inside the whale, meet the cheerful Navigator, and experience a beautiful, funny and interactive show.
This highlights the impact plastic has on our environment through a series of fun learning and theatrical experiences.
Activities at Chatham Community Hub and library
The hub will be open and will host activities including:
- Medway Print Festival – printing workshops by local print artists, inspired by the river
- Toddler Shake and Boogie session
- Rainbow Fish drop-in activity
Fort Amherst and the Command of the Heights project
Fort Amherst will be open to the public with activities including:
- Dad’s Army tunnel tour
- BBQ
- guns and small cannon on display
- children dress up
- vintage tearoom (in the café)
- adult education activity (making badges)
- fort craft activity
(charges apply to the above)
Getting to Chatham Waterfront
You can get to Chatham Waterfront from:
- any bus into Chatham Waterfront bus station
- the taxi rank at the Pentagon Shopping Centre
- Chatham Train Station – about a 5 minute walk
Car parks include:
- Pentagon Shopping Centre Car Park, Chatham, ME4 4AJ
- Sir John Hawkins Car Park, Chatham, ME4 4JL
- Fullagers Yard Car Park, The Paddock, Chatham, ME4 4YU
- Riverside Car Park, Chatham Library, ME4 4SL
Please note Globe Lane Car Park will be closed during this event.
