Whitstable Oyster Festival best bits 2009

It’s that time of year again, folks…Whitstable Oyster Festival kicks off this coming weekend starting on Saturdays 18th July, 2009.

The event never fails to disappoint so here’s a few of my favourites for this year. For a full run down of the week-long event see the Whitstable Oyster Festival website.

If you're travelling to Whitstable for this event, check out the live Whitstable Webcam showing great sea views before you leave to check the weather in real-time!

Saturday 18th July, 2009

Begin the Festival with a 6 mile walk to the Landing.
Time: 8:00 am. Venue: Tankerton Slopes Kiosk.

Dead Horse Morris
Morris dancers from Kent and beyond. The first of four performances. Free events
Time: 10:00 am. Venue: Horsebridge Square, Library Forecourt, St. Alphege Church, Whitstable Harbour.

Landing of the Oysters
Traditional ceremony to open the festival. Free event.
Time: 11:30 am. Venue: East Quay Beach.

The Oyster Parade
Traditional opening parade – lively and colourful. Free event.
Time: 12:15 pm. Venue: Long Beach to Library.

Samba Pelo Mar
Whitstable’s community Samba band – irresistibl e, uplifting and dynamic. Free event.
Time: 4:00 pm. Venue: Horsebridge Square

Live Music on South Quay
Live music throughout the day and evening.
Time: 12:00 pm. Venue: Harbour South Quay

Sunday 19th July, 2009

Sea Sunday in the Harbour - Multi-event
A day of activity on the harbour with lots to see and do including the Sheppey Pirates, the 1st Whitstable Scout Brass Band, Telling Whitstable’s Story (Seaside Holidays), The Whitstable Recorder Ensemble, Mission to Fishermen, West Whelks and RNLI behind the scenes, Play with Clay, the Ladies Victorian Guitar Ensemble, your chance to “Take the Pose” and The Hidden Harbour walking tours.
Time: 11:00 am. Venue: Whitstable Harbour.

Tropical Elements Steel Band
Traditional calypso and reggae with Tropical Elements. Presented by Happy Days Summer music programme.
Time: 2:00 pm. Venue: Tea Gardens.

Mud Tug
A festival classic - tug of war in the low tide muds.
Time: 4:00 pm. Venue: Beach Walk.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009.

Circus Skills Workshop
Music for Change present a highly enjoyable circus skills workshop.
Time: 10:00 am. Venue: Umbrella Centre

Crusty Crabs
Crustacean crab catching capers.
Time: 3:00 pm. Venue: Horsebridge Beach

Oyster Festival Mega-Quiz
Hosted by quizmaster extraordinaire, Lesley Bhola.
Time: 8:00 pm. Venue: Marine Hotel

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Live Jazz at Deco5
Chill out with free live jazz.
Time: 4:00 pm. Venue: Deco5.

Thursday, July 23, 2009.

Whitstable Brewery Beer Festival
Cask beers plus evening music on the beach.
Time: 12:00 pm. Venue: East Quay Beach

Blessing of the Waters
A traditional event, dating back to 1657, but no less relevant today.
Time: 6:45 pm. Venue: Reeve's Beach

Grotters at Night
Take a stroll along Reeves Beach to witness the haunting glow of grotters at twilight.
Time: 8:45 pm. Venue: Reeve's Beach

Friday, July 24, 2009.

Topping Times and Jolly Japes
Victoriana comes to the Tea Gardens.
Time: 12:00 pm. Venue: Tea Gardens

Lost Souls: a Storytelling Ghost Walk with Scandalmongers
Wrap up warm … these stories will chill you to the bone.
Time: 8:00 pm. Venue: Horsebridge Square

Comedy Club at the Horsebridge - Edinburgh Preview
Horsebridge Comedy in association with the Oyster Festival is proud to announce that you will be treated to a preview of Edinburgh’s top shows at a fraction of the cost.
Time: 8:00 pm. Venue: Horsebridge Centre.

Saturday, July 25, 2009.

EPICentre
A fabulous food market celebrating the very best of sustainable, local and totally delicious food.
Time: 10:00 am. Venue: Whitstable Harbour.

Samba Pelo Mar
Samba Pelo Mar is back and the whole town is bouncing along to those irrepressible rhythms.
Time: 11:00 am. Venue: Horsebridge Square.

Live Music on South Quay
Superb live music performances throughout the day and evening.
Time: 12:00 pm. Venue: Harbour South Quay.

Whitstable’s People
A gentle walk, within the ‘Walls’ and alleyways of Old Whitstable and onto the harbour.
Time: 2:00 pm. Venue: Keam's Yard.

Samba Pelo Mar
Whitstable’s very own community Samba band will energise even the most lethargic.
Time: 3:00 pm. Venue: Tea Gardens. .

Oyster Eating Competition
Everyone with a taste for oysters and no problem with getting messy has a fair chance of winning!
Time: 4:00 pm. Venue: Whitstable Harbour.

Harbour Music Stage
End the Festival on a mellow note with free music in the Harbour.
Time: 7:00 pm. Venue: Whitstable Harbour.