The Herne Bay Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with more action than ever over nine days, including airshows, music and a burning ship.

An air show and a burning 20-foot sculpture are impressive ways to mark your 20th anniversary.

The Herne Bay Festival is pulling out all the stops to celebrate, including music from the winner of a national unsigned bands competition as well as its usual fireworks, giant picnic and crab catching.

An air show on the seafront gets the festival underway on Saturday, August 18, which runs until Sunday, August 26. Taking to the skies from 12.30pm until 5pm will be the Breitling Wingwalkers,the Red Bull Matadors and more.

More than six million people see the Breitling Wingwalkers every year, performing stunts like handstands whilst strapped to the top wings of the team’s Boeing Stearman biplanes.

The Red Bull Matadors, piloted by Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones, have won three gold and two silver medals in the formation category of the FAI World Grand Prix series, so expect top aerobatics above the Thames Estuary.

Celebrations continue throughout the opening day with street theatre on the promenade from Galloping Cuckoos. Their show, Driftwood, sees them telling sea stories dressed as a group of fisherwomen: dressed in bold, bright outfits and hauling their small fishing hut made of splintered driftwood, rusty timber and sail-cloth.

There will also be 1950s-style dancing, plus an acoustic stage on the Central Bandstand featuring headliners CoCo and the Butterfields.

The Canterbury band were winners of Live and Unsigned 2012 and crowned at the O2 in Greenwich in front of judges from Radio 1Xtra, Kerrang!, Kiss FM and NME.

The opening day closes with the annual parade, which has a Smugglers and Pirates theme, culminating in a fiery finale at the Clocktower Plaza. A 20-foot wooden sculpture of a beached ship will be filled with pyrotechnics and set alight. It was built by Canterbury-based artist Robert Bradford, who created the Poseidon and Burning Man sculptures at the festival in 1995 and 1996.

Festival director Liz Flynn said: “Everyone has been excited to see this event return to the festival programme. We are delighted to have Robert back”.

Other highlights of the festival will be the Monster Crab Catching Competition, where families dangle a line off Herne Bay Pier in the hope of catching the heaviest crustacean. Remember to bring 16 metres of fishing line, a small weight and a container to keep your crab in on Sunday, August 19 at 1pm. Under 16s only.

During the week, watch out for the Punch and Judy shows on the Central Bandstand on Tuesday, August 21, and the Giant Sandcastle Competition on the beach west of the pier on Wednesday, August 22. The bandstand will have entertainment every afternoon, including bands, gospel choirs and children’s entertainment.

The second weekend focuses on the live music stage at the Clocktower Plaza. The winner of the Herne Bay Rocks competition will perform. Also on stage will be The Voice finalists Matt and Sueleen from Canterbury and a headline set from the 80s Experience on Saturday, August 25. The evening culminates in a fireworks display.

Herne Bay festival ideas

Herne Mill Open Day

Mill Lane, Sunday, August 19

This Kentish smock windmill dates from 1789 and is Grade I listed. A mill has existed on the site since the 15th century and this one has undergone detailed restoration work since the 1980s. Admission £1, children 25p.

Ramble from Reculver to Herne Bay

Meet at Reculver Pay and Display Car Park, Monday, August 20

This walk along the coast and back looks at the history and wildlife of the area. Bring a packed lunch, sturdy shoes and dogs on leads. Starts at 9.30am and back by 4pm.

Rocking Rockpooling

Meet outside Reculver Visitor Centre, Thursday, August 23

Hunt for marine creatures on Reculver’s rocky shore. Bring wellies and be ready to take on the uneven slopes and slippery rocks in the quest for crustaceans and molluscs. Suggested donation £1 appreciated. Dogs on leads.

The Goonies

Memorial Park, Friday, August 24

Continuing with the festival’s pirate theme, cult 1980s film The Goonies will be shown from 9pm. The story tells of a band of pre-teens who discover an old Spanish map that leads them on an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of a legendary 17th century pirate, One-Eyed Willie.

Delays

Kings Hall, Friday, August 24

The Southampton-based indie rockers bring their hits like Long Time Coming and Nearer than Heaven to Kent for their exclusive festival show Have Yourselves A Delays Road Trip Night. Tickets £15.

Herne Bay Festival runs from Saturday, August 18 to Sunday, August 26. Most events are free. More details atwww.hernebayfestival.co.uk