The Whitstable Oyster Festival, which kicks off on Saturday 27th July, offers a whole week of activities, workshops, events and cooking demonstrations to keep even the most eager families entertained. The festival comes to a fitting climax on Friday 2nd August with a stunning firework display over the sea.

The Harbour Food Fair the big attraction across the opening weekend, along with events such as the Oyster Challenge and the Town Parade. Continuing into the following week, Whitstable becomes a haven for families. Children's workshops through the week include kite making, puppetry, carnival mask making and a pirate workshop. There is also story telling from 12-2pm every day on West Beach.

Please see the key listings for children below for your reference.

 
Saturday 27th July

· Pearl Dive, 12noon-2pm, Whitstable Swimming Pool: fun diving competition for children

· Landing and Parade: 3-5.30pm, Long Beach and through the town:The traditional Landing of the Oysters followed by the Town Parade, this year themed around “Fishing in the Deep Blue Sea” featuring Whitstable schoolchildren, the town Giant and guest and music from Samba Pelo Mar along with the new Native Oysters Marching Band . 

Sunday 28th July

· Mud Tug, 12noon-2pm, Beach Walk/Long Beach: good dirty fun

·  I Heart Whitstable Craft Fair, 11am-4pm, Whitstable Umbrella Centre: best local craft on sale

Every Week Day: 

· Festival Workshops, 10-11.30am, Yacht Club: beachside creative activities for 7-10 year olds with exciting new theatre company WrongSemble. Puppetry, kite-making, seaside games, pirates and carnival themes explored throughout the week

· The Community Chef @ The Harbour, 12noon-1pm, Whitstable Harbour: foodie activities for families

· Beach Hut Tales, 12noon-2pm, West Beach: storytelling with Emily Guille-Marrett and Cassie Fuller Stafford

Monday 29th July

· Seaside tile-making, 10am-1pm, Horsebridge Arts & Community Centre

· Punch & Judy, 2.30 & 3.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Centre: with festival favourite Professor Des Turner

· Crabbing, 4.30-5.30pm, Horsebridge/Reeves Beach: prizes to be won for the biggest, smallest, ugliest, prettiest and angriest crabs (register from 4pm)

Tuesday 30th July

· Driftwood jewellery making, 10am-1pm, Horsebridge Arts & Community Centre

· Let’s Go Fly a Kite, 2-3.30pm, on Tankerton Slopes

Wednesday 31st July

· Festival Pirates Workshop, 10-11.30am: 7-10year olds get creative

· Beach Hut Tales, 12-2pm, West Beach

· Oystercatchers Treasure Hunt, 2-3.30pm, Whitstable Castle: storm the Castle and find the pirates’ loot

Thursday 1st August 

· Storytelling with Scandalmongers, 11am, Whitstable Library

· Whitstabubble Beach Party, 2-3.30pm, Tankerton Slopes: giant bubbles and party fun

Friday 2nd August

· Festival Carnival Workshop, 10-11.30am, Yacht Club: 7-10year olds get creative

· Grotters and Fireworks Finale, 3-5pm and 9.45pm, Horsebridge to The Old Neptune beach: Whitstable’s own brand of oystershell castles illuminated at dusk to accompany spectacular fireworks at sea

For more information about The Whitstable Oyster Festival, please contact Anna Sharp:

e) Anna@ASharpPR.com

t) 07801 283 045

W) http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.com/