Transylvania it isn’t but Maidstone will resemble a vampire’s lair when the River Festival takes over the town. Chris Price reports.

Dracula is not the first thing that leaps to mind when the Maidstone River Festival comes around. Rafts races, music and a fireworks finale are commonplace at this free Kent tradition but organisers of this year’s movie-themed event have been inspired to undertake a ghastly world record attempt.

“We want to break the record for the highest number of people dressed as Dracula in one place,” said festival chairman Martin Cox.

“When I was organising the festival, the National Blood Service called me and asked for a stand. I asked if they had ever tried taking blood at an event but they weren’t keen. So I thought 'what is the record for taking blood at an event in one day?’ Turns out it is something like 41,000 pints in Nicaragua or somewhere like that so I had to think of something else.

“Then I came up with Dracula because it fits with the theme and is blood related. Ironically the National Blood Service, although they have inspired the festival, will not be there but I might yet get them to come down.”

The benchmark for the record sits around the 500 mark at the moment but Martin is hoping to “smash it” in what is a celebratory 32nd year for the event.

There will be a music stage at Archbishop’s Palace as well as children’s rides, face painting, glitter tattoos and a food court.

Throughout the day by the river, artists from Kent will fashion works turning the area into a Paris like setting.

Of course the main action will take place on the river, with the Mayor of Maidstone Brian Mortimer opening the festival before performing the day’s opening music set with his band 2BC on one of the two floating stages near Fremlin Walk.

The stages will host a different band every hour and provide a soundtrack to the raft races, which have two heats this year. About 20 homemade rafts have been entered, with heats taking place at noon and 1pm. At 2pm there will be the fun race, from which the two fastest rafts will be invited to join the six fastest rafts from the heats in the final race from the high level bridge to the old bridge at 4pm. All proceeds from the event will go to St John Ambulance.

Children feeling left out on the movie-themed raft races can pimp their dinghies in Hollywood style for the dinghy pageant at 4.30pm.

After all the live music comes to a close, there will be a fireworks display in the town centre from 10.30pm. This will be set to soundtracks from the movies like Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.

It’s a festival even The Count himself would want to be at.

Stig drives in

The Stig, Top Gear’s mystery driver, will help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Whatman Park.

A host of Star Wars characters will also welcome visitors for a family fun day on Saturday, July 30, between 10am and 6pm.

A tug of war competition, treasure hunt, beat the goalie, an owl sanctuary and chocolate tasting with Cadbury are among activities. There will also be a breathtaking eight hours of dance on the stage.

Military re-enactments from the 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot is the main attraction and features muskets and cannon fire.

Developed as part of the Maidstone Millennium River Park, the 18-acre park was part funded by the National Lottery to celebrate the millennium.

Entrances are in St Peter’s Street, next to LA Fitness, along the river via the KM Millennium Bridge off James Whatman Way, and the Downstream Millennium Bridge off Monckton’s Lane in Ringlestone.

The County Gate car park, next to the White Rabbit pub, will be open to the public.

Bands line up

Teenage musicians from Maidstone take to the stage at the Brenchley Gardens for the Brenchley Fringe.

The day of gigs is part of the River Festival and includes sets from Purple Sky, Standing on Giants, Devilyn Foxx, King’s Eyes, Kairs, Thought Police and Fred Clarke.

Revellers can have their faces painted and have glitter tattoos. Proceeds from the concerts, organised by Invicta Grammar School pupils, go to Teenage Cancer Trust. It runs from 10am to 6pm. Call 07706 932203.

Maidstone River Festival takes place on Saturday, July 30 from 11am until the fireworks display at 10.30pm. The event is free.