Organisers of the Promenade festival are keen to get the message out that it’s business as usual for the biggest and brightest celebration of Sheppey life.

The announcement last week that the plug had been pulled on the rival Sheppey Festival 2014 caused some concern, but Chris Reed, chairman of the Sheppey Promenade Festival, which is called “War and Peas”, says that Islanders need not worry.

She said: “We want to reassure people that the Promenade Festival is going ahead. There are lots of activities going on from September 17-21 and there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s a celebration of Island life and of the rich history of Sheppey, which not many people know about and it will be there to be discovered.

“We are very excited that the festival is happening and are encouraging people to get involved.”

Organisers particularly want to see people dress up in First World War costume for the re-enactment of a recruitment parade in the town centre on Saturday, September 20.

It’s free to take part in and families are encouraged to get into the spirit and join the parade from McDonald’s at Beachfields Park in Sheerness at 11am.

The town centre festival runs 10am-4pm and to end the fun on Saturday there will be a free concert by the UK Paper Band at 7.30pm at Barton’s Point Coastal Park off Marine Parade.

Other festival highlights include an open day at Sheerness Dockyard Church on Wednesday, September 17; poetry and readings at The Church of St Thomas, Harty, from 2pm on Thursday, September 18, and in the evening First World War songs and music at Sheerness East Working Men’s club in Halfway, from 7pm.

The Sheppey Little Theatre will stage a drama My Friend the Enemy at 7.30pm on Friday, September 19, and the theatre will be the venue for illustrated history talks on Sunday, September 21 at 2.30pm.

There’s also a pop-up arts exhibition along The Leas, free clay days for budding artists; a guided walk around Halfway Cemetery, with war grave readings, as well as the Barbed Wire Festival at Blue Town Heritage Centre.

People can also take a trip down memory lane by visiting the photography exhibition, Now and Then, in the Healthy Living Centre Café off Royal Road, Sheerness.

If you need help with costumes for the First World War parade call Chris Reed 07775 712306, or for details of the festival visit www.sheppeypromenade.org