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The Whitstable Oyster Festival has grown from a community celebration to an event which attracts some 80,000 people from all over the county and beyond.
With a two-day food fair plus live music at the beach and busking area over both weekends, the festival is a 10-day celebration rounded off with a fireworks finale over the harbour. Here’s our pick of this year’s events that you won’t want to miss:
Saturday, July 23, at around 5pm
See tradition as the oysters are celebrated and blessed before they proceed to the head of the Seafood Parade as it winds its way through town, with traditional floats and a marching band. The parade starts at 5.30pm
Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, from 10am both days
Enjoy craft beer or cider, sample the freshest seafood and local street food and produce down at the harbour throughout the weekend.
Sunday, July 24, at 5pm, £6
Six brave contestants, half a dozen oysters and half a pint – it’s a simple race against the clock. The fastest person in each of the six rounds goes through to the final and the chance to be crowned the 2016 Whitstable Oyster Eating Champion. Registration is limited to 36 competitors. It opens at 3pm at the bar in The Shuck, the main festival venue at the harbour.
Monday, July 25, at 3pm, 50p
Find a space on the wooden runway and start crabbing, with prizes being given out for the biggest, smallest, prettiest, ugliest and angriest crabs. Bring your favourite bucket and crabbing line to help you get the best catch.
MUSIC
Live music plays a big part in the festivities at Whitstable, including three shows at The Shuck.
The Cuban Brothers return for the third year for a sell-out show on Friday, July 22. They will be joined by Norman Jay, the man who coined the phrase “rare groove”, and BAM, of the Jungle Brothers. Music pioneer, actor and drum and bass icon Goldie will be at The Shuck on Friday, July 29. Tickets are £14 in advance, £18 on the door.
Terry Hall of The Specials will be the headliner on Saturday, July 30, with a DJ set. As front man of The Specials, Terry established himself as a unique voice and, after leaving, he crafted the sounds of pop outfit Fun Boy Three. He has also worked with acts like Gorillaz, The Dub Pistols and Tricky. Tickets are £12 in advance and £16 on the door.
Also returning is the Comedy Impro All-Stars, with Steve Steen and Mock The Week regular Milton Jones.
They will be at The Shuck on Thursday, July 28 at 7pm. Tickets are £16 in advance and from £18 on the door. To book go to whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk
With magicians, face painting, theatre groups and singing, the party is at 2pm on Tankerton Slopes on Friday, July 29.
Make your colourful creation at home or head to a workshop to be able to take part in the flying festival, on Tankerton Slopes at 4pm on Friday, July 29. Let your kite fly high for all to see or for seasoned kite flyers, show off your skills.
A messy and hard-fought contest, the Mud Tug at Long Beach at 3.30pm on Saturday, July 30 features teams that need your cheering.
The sky Whitstable will be lit up as the crowds gather for an explosive finale to the festival on Horsebridge Beach. The display starts with a bang at 9pm.
DETAILS
For details of all events, times and venues for the Whitstable Oyster Festival visit whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk.
