Thames festival, 2006
A weekend party celebrating the River Thames
(Photos/words © urban75, Sept 2006)
Once again, the Mayor's Thames festival proved to be a fabulous weekend with a load of free riverside events including music, art, funfairs, fireworks and a big lantern procession.
The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday action in and around the riverfront walk, parks and open spaces between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-01.jpg)
Created from thousands of 'flowers' made from recycled plastic, 'Carmen' is made from 10,000 flowers put together by 10,000 children in 200 primary schools.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-02.jpg)
Helter Skelter.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-03.jpg) Dad and son come flying out of the Helter Skelter.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-04.jpg)
A riverfront scene where several activities were taking place.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-05.jpg)
Wellies for use by people wanting to stomp around on the Thames sand below.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-06.jpg)
Drum lessons.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-07.jpg)
A young 'un tries to get down with some syncopated rhythms.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-08.jpg)
Kids play area.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-09.jpg)
Strange noises and movements were later seen coming from this 'Compost Mentis' installation.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-10.jpg)
Not for veggies like me, but business was brisk at the Traditional British Sausages stall.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-11.jpg)
Relaxing on the beach.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-12.jpg)
Making sand castles.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-13.jpg)
Look at the size of that moat!
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-14.jpg)
Getting stuck in.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-15.jpg)
Kids chase after an enormous bubble.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-16.jpg)
Which promptly bursts above their heads!
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-17.jpg)
Stalls along the river front.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-18.jpg)
'The Strangelings' warm up for their 'Tandem' routine outside the National Theatre.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-19.jpg)
Acrobatic capers by the Strangelings.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-20.jpg)
Their act - which was excellent - involved a lot of tandem cycling.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-21.jpg)
One of our old favourites, the 'Museum Of' was reopened to show off a MA photography show.
It was great to see this old building in use again.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-22.jpg)
Inside, the building was as delightfully half-derelict as ever - far better than some squeaky-clean antiseptic gallery.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-23.jpg)
Another view inside one of the upper floors of the 'Museum Of.'
It would be great if it could stay open because I used to love its quirky, unpretentious exhibitions.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-24.jpg)
Watching a video installation in the Museum Of.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-25.jpg)
View of part of the festival site from the Museum Of building..
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-26.jpg)
Ground floor view.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-27.jpg)
'Eat Me' by Sharon Baker involved baking a life-sized woman in bread and then inviting others to eat it afterwards. Most strange.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-28.jpg)
Stage by the Tate Modern.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-30.jpg)
Heading towards London Bridge we came across these wags.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-31.jpg)
Borough Market at the end of the day.
![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-32.jpg)
Drinkers at the Market Porter pub.
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![Thames festival, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, South Bank, London September 2006](images/thames-festival-33.jpg)
Graffiti art.
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