Introducing the 2006 York Festival of the Rivers.

The common cry goes up: "York never makes enough of its rivers!" Now, however, the city that likes to promote itself as the "City of Festivals" has added a new one to the list, the York Festival of the Rivers.
Charles Hutchinson dives in and tests the waters of the first weekend.

When does it run?

Originally it was going to be June 24 to July 9, but in the tradition of the River Ouse, the tide of events has risen and risen.

In fact, some water has already passed under the bridge: you missed the junior angling championship on New Walk last Friday and the First Sunday Open Angling on all waters above the City last Sunday, and the York Festival of the Rivers Regatta from Clifton to Lendal last Sunday morning.

However, you are not too late to take in two Shakespeare comedies, not strictly on the river, more in the city's parks: Midsummer Night's Dream in Minster Gardens and Twelfth Night in Hull Park Road, both running until Sunday (although there is no evening performance of the Dream' tomorrow). Oh, and angling fans will be relieved to know there is still a chance for some hot fishing action: the York Branch Club and Institute Union (Angling) Junior Match takes place today.

Give a sprinkling of highlights for tomorrow.

York River Cruise presents a two-hour festival picnic cruise on a traditional wooden boat, the Prince Charles, (tickets 01904 676110); York Sub-Aqua Club will be demonstrating the manoeuvrability of their highly decorated, rigid inflatable boats at King's Staithes following their journey down river from Acaster Malbis; and York Canoe Club will have demonstrations and free come-and-try sessions from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm at the Foss Basin both tomorrow and on Sunday, showcasing paddle sports such as the Big Air Ramp and holding competitions in freestyle, extreme slalom and bungee racing. Booking is necessary for the kayaking sessions; email jon.allars@yorkcanoeclub.co.uk.

At Jorvik Viking Centre from tomorrow until June 9, you can discover how Vikings travelled and traded across the globe at talks in the Fearsome Craftsmen Gallery (bookings 01904 543402).

York RI Sailing Club will hold dinghy racing on the River Ouse by Rowntree Park/Millennium Bridge, when fierce competition is promised between noon and 3pm.

Sunday's highlights?

The Diabetes UK Sponsored Walk will start at Tower Gardens at 11am and will follow York's Georgian Riverside Trail to Rowntree Park, finishing at 2pm. For an application form, ring 01325 373 324.

In a second sponsored walk, this time the Colitis and Crohn's Millennium walk, walkers will set out at noon on a circular, three-mile route from Museum Gardens.

The party event is the Pirates' Party in the Park in Rowntree Park from 1pm to 4.30pm. Here will be the chance to play on the bouncy castles; join in the pirate face painting and treasure hunt; win the prize for the best pirate fancy dress; and you can make your model pirate ship and see it race in its own regatta, with racing for different age groups, including adults.

Alternatively, you can bring a picnic, lie back and enjoy the principals of York Musical Theatre Company performing Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates Of Penzance.

The day ends on a high note at the Millennium Bridge: Praise by the Bridge, a 40-minute celebration of God organised by Church Together in south east and south west York.