11:46am Saturday 5th July 2008
By Jon Cheetham
THERE was high-octane action as well as plenty of music and fun on the riverside in Gravesend today.
This year's Big Day Out event includes a powerboat grand prix as part of a two-day maritime festival - today and tomorrow - celebrating Gravesham's riverside heritage.
This year's Big Day Out programme includes the regatta, a funfair, music stages and a firework finale.
Today visitors enjoyed a diverse programme, with a brass band, rock and bhangra acts performing on the community stage by the river.
Tonight on the main stage tribute act Abba Gold will headline the show.
Earlier in the day a procession from Northfleet Carnival left Springhead Park and joined the activities on the promenade in Gravesend.
After watching Gravesend's rowing regatta visitors enjoyed a change of pace as the powerboats took to the water for two hours of racing.
Four boat classes battled for championship points as part of the Royal Yacht Association National Championship.
Tomorrow's events include more powerboat racing.
There will be a Sea Cadet band and drill exhibition and street theatre including a Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike and pirate show.
Council leader Councillor Mike Snelling said: "The Big Day Out has become the key date in the borough's community calendar and this year it is set to be bigger and better than ever.
"We are grateful to all partners who have worked very hard to put an extraordinary two-day event together."
Cabinet member for leisure Councillor David Turner said: "It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community cohesion through music, food and culture.
"This year the dimension of the fantastic events on the river complete the picture.
"And this year the fantastic events on the river aim to highlight our special heritage as a Thames-side borough."
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