The Riverside Festival takes place every year on Victoria Embankment in the Meadows. A large funfair, stretching along the Trent, the event is much like a thinner Goose Fair. With live music.

Highlights this year included veteran folk/county/bluesgrass/american bank Wholesome Fish who played a storming set, even if they did struggle to get people dancing. There was a stage dedicated to local acts, I had heard of only Kamba Semba and the headliners Royal Gala who were every bit as brilliant as ever, proving once again that they are the best live band in Nottingham. Once the music had ended, the night was closed by an impressive fireworks display.

Alongside the music there was the usual funfair attractions: rides, hooplas and overpriced food. The "Army Information Team" were also out and about with their climbing wall (because if you're in the army you spend all your time on climbing walls). As at previous Riverside Festivals, there was an exhibition of steam engines and musical organs.

Politically the events was largely vacuous, just as you'd expect from a city council organised event. That said, the Socialist Party were out and about when I arrived attempting to get people to sign petitions or buy the paper. There was also a Love Music Hate Racism stall, but LMHR appears to have transformed itself from a political campaign to a clothing line.

As is the case with all these events in Nottingham, council branding was everywhere. On the publicity, in the programme and all over the stages. Ironically some of the "proud" banners adorning at least one of the stages are now starting to look a little tatty.