It's back! After a two-year break for Covid, the Maidstone River Festival returns to the County Town this weekend.

Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the banks of the River Medway where there will be fun both on and off the water.

River Festival chairman Dave Naghi promised: "This is going to be the most magnificent festival ever in its 40 year history!"

The fun kicks off at midday on Saturday, when the Mayor of Maidstone will set off a maroon to launch proceedings - expect a loud bang!

There will be live music, dance and drama all day from a stage at Lockmeadow, with additional entertainment centred around The Old Boat, the Thai Orchid restaurant and the Kentish Lady cruiser.

Scheduled to appear at Lockmeadow are the Mandy Ellen Dance School, Rock Paper Scissors, the Kent Academy of Musical Theatre and the Stagecoach Bearsted Theatre School.

Plus Martin Cleary, the Hazlitt Youth Theatre Group, Centre Arts, Atonic, Ellie-Hope Suzanne and Paris-Kay.

Along the length of the riverbank there will be community stalls, including some water-themed ones such as the RNLI and a turtle sanctuary from Staplehurst.

Children's entertainment will be centred around the Hermitage Millennium Amphitheatre.

On the river, the big attraction will be the raft race at 2.30pm. A motley collection of crews will attempt to navigate a 650m course on rafts of their own design. They will race from the high-level railway bridge to the Archbishop’s Palace, in a bid to win the coveted trophy.

Each team has paid an entry fee of a £50 donation to the Heart of Kent Hospice to take part.

A presentation ceremony will be held at 5pm, after the entrants have dried out a little

Mr Naghi said: “Most rafts make it over the start line, not all of them reach the finish line, but everyone has a lovely time!”

This year's entrants include Happy Ever Rafter! (from Barty House Nursing Home), the Malta Geezers, The Bacon Butty Brigade and the Maidstone Sea Cadets, who must surely be in with a good chance.

The River Festival will raise money for two local charities: "The Young Lives Foundation and MADM (Making a Difference to Maidstone).

Mr Naghi said: "This is very much a community event for the people of Maidstone.

"It is run by volunteers - not by Maidstone council - and we very much hope everyone will come along and join in the fun!"

Among the many colourful characters to be spotted in town will be fans of Steam Punk fashion, who will be attending a Steam Punk exhibition at Maidstone Museum that day.

During the day the nearby All Saints Church will welcome visitors with tea and a chance to view the plaque of George Washington's ancestor, Laurence Washington, featuring the Stars and Stripes motif that later became America's flag.

And also the Maidstone Carriage Museum, opposite the church, will be making a rare opening, between 11am - 4pm.

The museum offers a fascinating insight into the old palace and its history and has one of the best collections of carriages in Europe.

Throughout the day, an historic Number 26 Maidstone Corporation bus will be giving rides between All Saints and the Gallagher Stadium.

The festival will conclude with a fabulous firework display set off from the roof of Fremlin Walk at 10pm.

In addition, there is a £100 prize being offered to the member of the public who takes the best photograph of the River Festival. Send your entries to clairey@maidstone riverfestival.com

Entries will be judged by the Mayor of Maidstone and the winner announced a week after the event.