One of the county’s best-loved food festivals is set to make a full comeback this year, with a new name and packed line-up of activities.

The Whitstable Oyster Rocks Festival has revealed its programme for this year’s coastal celebration, which will take place from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18.

Previously known as the Whitstable Oyster Festival, the newly-named event has confirmed that its food festival will return this year after being scrapped in 2021.

The historic event, which normally takes place in July, was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic. It went ahead last year - but without the renowned food festival.

However, throughout the Friday, Saturday and Sunday there will once again be food stalls, with street food on offer as well as the usual seaside treats. There will also be craft beer in the car park adjacent to the East Quay.

The festival has also announced a number of other foodie activities happening during the weekend, including an oyster farm tour, the landing of the oysters and a kite flying picnic.

The tour, which is limited and must be booked in advance, takes visitors to the Whitstable Oyster Trading Company to see the oyster beds and learn how the seafood is farmed.

After the tour, visitors can sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly and a sample of Pacific Rock oysters to taste.

Alongside the food, there will also be live music at the Grading Shed and East Quay venue from the Cuban Brothers, with some artists still to be announced.

For those visiting with children, you can keep them happy with activities such as pirate pottery, the Whitstable Mud Tug, treasure hunts around Whitstable Castle, crabbing at Long Beach and the building and lighting of grotters.

The re-branding comes after the severing of the event’s links with the city council, which has withdrawn its support funding due to budget cuts. This year, the event is being organised by the Event Umbrella.

Managing director of The Event Umbrella, Gus Corcoran, said: “We’re delighted to be launching this new festival to celebrate Whitstable’s historic connection with oysters whilst paying homage to the classic activities such as the blessing of the oysters and the lighting of the grotters that we all know and love.”

The Whitstable Oyster Rocks Festival takes place in and around the East Quay Venue and Long Beach from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18. The festival is free to attend.

For more information, including the full festival programme, click here.