Whitstable Oyster Festival's food fair has been cancelled by its organisers

The event is set to take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend - from Friday, August 27 to Monday, August 30.

The popular event held in Whitstable annually was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but was given the go ahead for this year.

However, it has been announced that the food fair has been cancelled by its organisers.

A statement said: "During this ongoing difficult time for event organisers, the producing of all elements of shows is proving continually challenging, with shortages of infrastructure, increased pricing and a lack of confidence from traders that shows will happen - with or without restrictions.

"The traditional aspects of the show will go ahead, with the Landing of the Oysters and Community Celebration on Saturday, August 28, at Long Beach followed by the world famous oyster eating competition in it's rightful harbour home.

"The Grotters will be starting on the afternoon of Sunday, August 29, with the lighting taking place at dusk.

They continued: "There will be three days of programming and entertainment on the harbour stage, running from midday to 8pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday.

"In addition, we will be working with our tireless Whitstable Oyster Festival Association partners in promoting and delivering the mud tug, Eye Spy competition, kite flying, crabbing, best dressed window, Chalky Chalky, Play with Clay and the treasure hunt.

"We'd like to thank you for your support in previous years and trust that you will take this opportunity to experience the more traditional and community focussed aspects of this great Kent event.

The festival is run by Full Event Production Ltd, which took it over from The Event Umbrella in 2017.

Gorrell councillor Chris Cornell (Lab) "Whilst many visitors will miss the food fair, I think most locals won’t miss it and be happy with the grotters and mud tug.

"A slimmed down festival, refocused around the harbour, will better support local businesses who often feel passed over on the way to the slopes."

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