Bedford River Festival: What to expect over two days - Published Bedford will be filled with many different sights and sounds when its biennial River Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday. More than 300,000 visitors are expected to attend the event that was last held in 2024 and costs about £500,000 to stage. The free-to-attend festival will be held across the town, The Embankment and Russell Park, with events starting from 10:00 BST. Here is a guide on what to expect. What is on offer? The family area is at St Mary's Gardens, which also has a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) space. In Bedford town centre, hundreds of vehicles will be on display at the Festival of Motoring. At 17:00, on both days, a cavalcade of motors will drive through the town. The Sports Island will be next to the Butterfly Bridge, where anyone can try a range of sports including climbing, rugby, gymnastics, golf and squash. Close by at the Water Sports Arena, there will be paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. The arena will also host zorbing sessions, water obstacle races and canoe polo matches. An arts and culture area is being created at Mill Meadows, with live events and stalls. On Saturday, dragon boat racing will start from 10:00 and raft racing begins from 14:45 on Sunday. The Martyn Pearson Grand Parade of Cabin Cruisers and Narrow Boats are on both days with the Illuminated Boat Parade at 21:00 on Saturday. The Craft and Gift Marquee will be in Russell Park, and a specialist Festival Market around The Embankment Gardens. The Green Earth Vegan Lounge will be located at Castle Mound and a Wellbeing Tent will make its festival debut. Water music The Harpur Square will host the Music Service Stage. Along The Embankment, the BBC Music