THE hottest day of the year is hardly the ideal time to be working outside, but Riverside Festival organisers had little choice yesterday.
A dedicated team sweated through the day as they prepared the site for the event's 23rd edition, which runs on Saturday and Sunday at Mill Field, Charlbury.
But Riverside is used to doing things differently - it is one of the few festivals that still lets revellers in for free.
This is down to the huge group of volunteers that help the event run smoothly, giving it a certain charm.
The picturesque surroundings of the festival site help, too - Riverside is situated on an island in the Evenlode outside the West Oxfordshire town.
But this has not prevented Riverside becoming one of the fixtures of the Oxfordshire music festival calendar.
As many as 5,000 people will stream through the gates each day to see 40 acts perform across four stages.
Oxfordshire pop-covers band The Standard headline the festival on Saturday, while ska act 2 Tone All Skas are the big draw on Sunday.
On what promises to be another boiling weekend, festival-goers can seek refreshment from stalls run by local companies.
Whether it is the Riverside Gin and Fizz lounge or Charlbury Pre-School's Tea and Cakes tent, there will be something for everyone.
This year's festival has a circus theme as Riverside celebrate 250 years of the Big Top.
After their hard work in the heat yesterday, organisers will hope this year's festival has a true carnival atmosphere.
To volunteer at Riverside Festival 2018 email admin@riversidefestival.charlbury.com
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