HIGHLIGHTS BY THE DAY

Saturday, July 22 Landing of the Oysters

The traditional, and historic, ceremony sees the blessing of the first catch of the season on East Quay Beach from 12.45pm, with the haul being brought ashore by the Sea Scouts and presented to the Lord Mayor of Canterbury before being blessed by the church. The oysters are then presented, ready for the procession to head to Tankerton Slopes.

Seafront Procession

This starts at around 1.30pm,

heading along from the East Quay, along the promenade, culminating at a food fair.

Oyster Eating Challenge

For those with strong stomachs – the oyster eating challenge is for all levels of eaters from newbies to natives. Held on the festival stage, it’s a race to the finish with half a dozen oysters and half a pint of beer to be consumed in the quickest time. Registration opens at noon at the festival bar, and is limited to 36 competitors.

Held at 3.30pm, entry is £6.

Sunday, July 23 Oyster Food Fair

A second chance to enjoy some of Kent and further afield’s finest foods plus live music, all from 10am.

The Festival Stage

The 1st Whitstable Scout Band, the Useless Pluckers, Fred Clark, Matt Appleby, High Tide, King Ziggy, Brendan Power & Joe Jones and The Matt Whitey Trio will all appear on the stage. Free, and running from 10.00am.

Mud Tug

Held at Long Beach, the epic struggle where both sides get coated in the same amount of mud, is at 6.30pm.

Monday, July 24

There’s a Whitstabubble Picnic Party for the youngsters from 11.30am at Tankerton Slopes, followed by Let’s Go Fly a Kite at 1pm.

The day is rounded off with crabbing at 3pm on Horsebridge Beach and – unique to Whitstable – Grottes at 4pm is a tradition where you can grab a bucket of oyster shells and build a structure with them, and as the evening draws in, the seafront becomes illuminated as they are lit by candlelight.