Key events and activities
Cavalcade
Each day the festival begins with a Fab Fifty Cavalcade of iconic vehicles, 10-10.15am, along The Embankment, over Bedford Town Bridge and to Mill Meadows where they will be on display.
Over 200 vehicles will be on display, from a 1904 Model C Ford, through to a McClaren 720S V8.
Find them in Russell Park, the Embankment, either side of the Butterfly Bridge, and Mill Meadow Islands.
|
In Russell Park
There'll be professional kite flying in the main arena. Sit and listen to our expert commentator to learn more about some of the wonderful creations, from the beautiful and elegant to the playful and gigantic.
|
Don't miss the huge arts and crafts marquees!
Come and meet the teams in the Blue Lights area from local Police, Fire, and Ambulance services, and our Community Safety team.
An Inclusive Activity Area from our Local Offer team provides a wonderful space for families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
You can also discover trade stalls, funfair and inflatables (these are charged for), an art and craft tent, plus a food court and a bar.
Year of Reading comes to the Kite and Motoring Festival!
|
 For the first time, and as part of our Year of Reading, we will also have a Reading Tent, between the crazy golf and the river.
Some of the UK’s favourite children’s authors will be performing free reading for visitors of all ages:
Saturday
10-10.45am - Toby’s Tall Tales
11-11.45am - Julia Jarman
Midday-12.45pm - Rhymetime
1-1.45pm - Lou Treleaven
2-2.45pm - Michelle Robinson
3-3.45pm - Olaf Falafel.
Sunday
10-10.45am - Toby’s Tall Tales
11-11.45am - Julia Jarman
Midday -12.45pm - Michelle Robinson
1-1.45pm - Jonas Lane
2-2.45pm - David Litchfield
3-3.45pm - Inclusive Stories.
Over the road, between Russell Park and The River Great Ouse
Discover the Green Earth Vegan Lounge and relax in the Chill Out Area.
You’ll find interesting vegan stalls, delicious food and drink, live music, children’s activities, wood turning demos and a place to sit and relax under the trees.
Try a refreshing glass of pressed fruit and sugar cane juices, iced coffee and flavoured water. Foods on offer include pizza, samosas and East African food, plus a focaccia special, wraps and more from the team at the Green Earth Café.
|
Either side of The Butterfly Bridge
View a range of vehicles on display - more are in Mill Meadows.
|
On the river and outside the Schools' Boathouse
Canoeing, kayaking, climbing and stand-up paddle boarding will be on offer close to the Butterfly Bridge for all to enjoy throughout the weekend.
All equipment and guidance will be provided by the Canoe Trail team, just pop along to meet them to find out more, but don’t forget to bring a towel!
|
Food and drink
Across this year’s Bedford Kite & Motoring Festival site, you will find a wonderful selection of food from twelve caterers, including four exclusively selling vegan cuisine. You should find it easy to find something delicious.
There are also three bars across the festival site, on Mill Meadows, in Russell Park and on The Embankment. The bars provided by 3B1G Events Ltd will be highlighting their environmental credentials and supporting the ethos of the festival by operating a reusable cup scheme. At each bar there will be an area for customers to return their cups should they not wish to take it home. Cups returned to the bar will be sterilised in readiness for a future event.
Mill Meadows
View more of the vehicles being exhibited.
There will also be more inflatables and rides for children, again there will be charges for these.
|
You can give a new sport a try in Mill Meadows with GLL, who run our local Leisure Centres under the brand name 'Better'. Come and try table tennis, volleyball, badminton, short tennis, and more.
You'll also find the brilliant team from Spiral Freerunning who will be delivering their pop-up parkour / freerunning workshops with trained professionals to guide you as you explore their obstacles - it's a fantastic opportunity to give it a go!
|
Mill Meadows bandstand
Enjoy live music at the bandstand on both days:
Saturday
10.30am-midday - Northampton Concert Band
12.30-2pm - Ukulele Bedford
2.30-4pm - Bedford Town Band
Sunday
10.30am-midday - Linslade Concert Band
12.30-2pm - Jazz the 2 of Us
2.30-4pm - Bedford Brass
John Bunyan Boat
Relax on a John Bunyan river cruise while attending the Kite and Motoring Festival.
Find the boat near Bedford Town Lock, Mill Meadows on lower river. No booking needed for a 30-minute return cruise, adults £6, children 5-16 years £4.
Licensed Galley Bar from midday.
|
Dragon Boat racing on Sunday 22 June
This year we continue our support with local hospice Sue Ryder St. John’s Hospice, as they host their third Dragon Boat Race.
Local businesses and community group teams take to the water to battle it out along a 200-metre River Ouse racecourse between the lock on Mill Meadows and the Suspension Bridge.
The heats start from 10am and run through the day with the finals planned to begin from 2pm, with presentations at 2.50pm.
|
|