Excitement is in the air as Fakenham gears up for its annual Riverside Festival.

The popular community event will be held close to the town centre, along the picturesque River Wensum, on Sunday, June 16.

The festival will feature a variety of attractions including the much-anticipated Great Fakenham Duck Race 2024, the Giant Sponsored Duck Race, cardboard raft races, and a field filled with fun activities such as bouncy castles, free face painting, stalls, live music and an exercise area, as well as plenty of food.

A highlight for this year is the introduction of an arena filled with games, exercise, and dance activities for everyone to enjoy.

Eastern Daily Press: The event sees the Great Fakenham Duck Race, the Giant Sponsored Duck Race, cardboard raft races and more The event sees the Great Fakenham Duck Race, the Giant Sponsored Duck Race, cardboard raft races and more (Image: Submitted)

Richard Crook, from Active Fakenham and the festival organiser, is looking forward to the event.

He said: “ The response has been great.

"We have 41 individually decorated giant ducks sponsored by local businesses and we will have the very popular Great Fakenham Duck Race with ducks at only one pound.

"Going by previous years I am expecting some interesting cardboard rafts and some spectacular manoeuvres and capsizes."

The festival endeavours to keep all activities fun and affordable for visitors.

"The face painting is free, the inflatables are only £5 for a whole day wristband and some free wristbands have been donated to schools." Mr Crook added.

He also noted that local enterprises have an excellent opportunity to promote themselves, help the town, and have some fun.

Eastern Daily Press: Fakenham Riverside Festival returns with Great Duck Race and more Fakenham Riverside Festival returns with Great Duck Race and more (Image: Submitted)

Funds raised during the festival will be used to support the events organised by Active Fakenham throughout the year, with a portion donated to the local charity, Fakenham First Focus.

While there is no parking on-site, visitors can make use of the free parking at Olivet Way.

The event location on Goggs Mill Road will be pulsating with activities from 10am until 2.30pm.

For further details, visit the Active Fakenham website.