by Kathryn Tye
ktye@thekmgroup.co.uk

Organisers of this year’s Oyster Festival are to break with tradition by holding the Oyster Parade in the evening.

Instead of its usual lunchtime slot, the Landing of the Oysters on Saturday, July 23, will begin at 5.30pm with the parade following at 6pm.

After the parade, the High Street and Oxford Street will remain closed to traffic until 8.30pm, and a variety of festival entertainment will be laid on to create a 'parade party’.

Festival director Mair Stratton said that there were good reasons for moving the parade time this year.
“Because landing the oysters is completely dependent on having a high tide we either had to hold the festival a week earlier when local children were still in school, or move the parade to an early evening slot.
“While I know people don’t always like change, we decided that moving the parade time would be a more popular decision,” she said.

The change in format has also allowed the organisers to bring in the idea of a parade party.

Mair added: “Traders in Oxford Street particularly often complain that they don’t see enough festival activity but the problem is one of space.
“There are very few places on Oxford Street where we can safely put entertainers and events so we are forced to the open spaces at the other end of town.
“Closing the roads later in the day is much less disruptive for traffic, so we have managed to get permission to keep the roads closed for a short time after the parade, and we are hoping people will stay on a bit later to enjoy the atmosphere.”

Festival organisers are encouraging shops, restaurants and traders in the party streets to stay open and take full advantage of the new format. Ideas for promotions or extra events are welcomed.