#Whistable Oyster Festival for Families #wof2012

Follow @EastKentMum as I enjoy the festival with my family and friends.
Saturday 21st July

10:00 Splashpals

FREE event at Whitstable Harbour

Watch Newfoundland dogs demonstrate water rescues.
Note: Whitstable Oyster Guide 2012 notes that Splashpals is on from 10-5pm and is weather and tide dependent.

11:00 Soran Bushi and Taiko Drumming

FREE

Japanese drumming and dancing: A fisherman’s dance by students 
Whitstable Harbour

12:00 Lunch

Head to the highstreet or picnic on the beach.

13:00 Ratty, Mole and Toad

FREE

Street theatre performance which follows these much-loved characters as they embark on an urban adventure.

Whitstable Library

13:30 Meet Salana the Seal

FREE

Meet Salana the seal: a two-metre long grey seal. Performed by Circo Rum Ba Ba.

Whitstable Library

14:30-15:00 Landing of the Oysters and The Oyster parade

FREE

The official festival opening ceremony. A centuries old tradition, the ceremony concludes with a procession from The Bowls Centre to Oxford Street where the Lord Mayor delivers an Oyster to each pub and restaurant along the way.

Long beach

16:45-17:30 Samba!

FREE

Horsebridge Square

High energy Samba music from local favourites Samba Pelo Mar.

Note: Keep an eye out for Morris dancing (performed by Dead Horse Morris and Friends) throughout the course of the day.

Sunday 22^nd July

This is a day for strolling around, chilling out, enjoying local art, sampling local produce and soaking up the lively atmosphere. A must-do activity is to enjoy the best of over 60 local producers’ foods and drink at the EPICentre Food Fair in Whitstable Harbour.

The morning starts with a Sunday Service and Parade from St. Alphege Church. Then, keep an eye out for: traditional sea shanties sung in Whitstable Harbour, BBQs and beer on the beach, open art studio sessions, and various music events.

The highlight of the day for young children is Trundlehonk! A family-friendly one-man-band (with a comic twist) on walkabout at various points through the day.

I will be going to Sheds! This is a photographic exhibition of people and their sheds on show at Whitstable Museum. You can also find me checking out the art on display at the Horsebridge Centre. And don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets from the Horsebridge Centre, which give you the chance to win a Doll’s House worth £3000. Tickets are sold in aid of the Horsebridge Centre and Trust Sulha (a Kent based charity raising money to educate Afghan refugees in Pakistan).

Monday 23^rd July

Get your wellies on for this early morning Seashore Safari on Whitstable beach (near Keam’s Yard). This free activity is guaranteed to fascinate the whole family as you discover and learn about the little creatures that thrive on Whitstable beach.

For little ones there’s a Pop Up Cinema in The Whitstable Umbrella Centre from 11:00-13:00. Bring a picnic rug and snacks and enjoy a range of child-friendly films in a relaxed atmosphere. Cost is just £1. (Note: This fantastic event set up by a local mum isn’t advertised in the brochure so don’t miss it!)

Children from 6 years plus can compete in a fun Bubble-Blowing Competition on Tankerton Slopes at 11:30. There is a cost of just £2.

There are two engaging workshops on at the Horsebridge Centre this afternoon. From 13:45 onwards there are three sessions available to Make a Beach Beacon in preparation for Thursday’s firework display. And, at 3pm, older children from 12 years up can take part in a Puppetry Workshop to learn the skills to bring artefacts to life and become puppeteers!

Note: You need to book in advance with the Horsebridge Centre. To book either event phone: 01227 281174.

Tuesday 24^th July

From 10:00-13:00, there is a range of free games and fun activities for all ages on Tankerton Slopes. Then skip off to Whitstable’s Umbrella Centre to watch a free, Punch and Judy show. According to the Whitstable guide, this 350 year old tradition “promises to entertain a new generation of children and their parents”. However, I can’t promise to what extent it will have been revised for a modern audience. (Show times: 12:00; 13:45 and 15:00)

The funniest event of the day is sure to be the Crabbing Competition taking place at 16:30 on Horsebridge/Reeves beach in Whitstable. Judges decide who has caught the best crab on nothing more than a whim! Note: You need to register at 16:00 and pay just 20p).

Wednesday 25^th July

Children aged 4 upwards will definitely want to take part in the Eggy Escapades egg race. Enter one of four workshops taking place at the Horsebridge Centre to prepare and decorate your egg in preparation for Friday afternoon’s egg racing competition on Tankerton slopes.

Egg decorating and race preparation workshops take place at the Horsebridge Centre (01227 281174) at 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:30. Cost: £3 per egg.

Thursday 26^th July

The day is full of activities in preparation for the evening’s parade and night’s firework display.

Get booked onto a crown-making workshop to ensure your little one has a crown fit for a Grotter King or Queen. There’s also the opportunity to make a glorious grotter with your Whitstable Oyster shell.

From dusk onwards, children will wear their crowns and carry their oyster shell grotters as everyone takes part in a magical stroll along Reeves beach. The free firework display can be viewed along the stretch of beach between the Horsebridge and the Neptune pub.

Crown making workshops: 9:30-13:00 and 13:34-17:15. Cost: £3. Book in advance: 01227 281174.

Grotter-making: From 14:30-17:00 (pop along any time). Cost: FREE. I recommend bringing your own oyster shell, to avoid disappointment, in case they run out.

Firework Display: 21:45. Cost: Free.

Friday 27^th July

Eggy Escapades – The Smashing Final

At 10am, all the children who decorated and took part in Wednesday’s Eggy Escapes workshop, now take part in this fun competition. Other children will enjoy watching, I’m sure. Good luck!

Young children from 5 years upwards will enjoy the free Picassos on the Pavement event outside Whitstable Library from 14:00-15:30. Local artist, Paul George, will help your little one create their very own piece of chalk art on the pavement.

My family is looking forward to hearing and watching the Barrow Band on The Deck at Whitstable Harbour from 14:30-16:00. Songs about fruit and vegetables are accompanied by little legumes dancing. I can’t wait to see the line-dancing mushrooms and swinging pineapples.

If you need a break but your children are still full of energy, then head to Deco 5 at 16:30. Picassos on the Pavement artist will end the day performing Fred Bear and the Magic Mouse. Parents can chill out and enjoy a drink while the kids have lots of free fun.

We are going to try to conclude the festival listening to music performed by Broadstairs and St Peter’s Concert Band at St.Peter’s Church, Sydenham Street. This special festival concert in the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Church includes a wide repertoire from favourite classics to Disney tunes. The cost is £5 (with concessions for under 10s). You can buy tickets on the door or call 01227 792425.

Have a wonderful time at The Whistable Oyster Festival 2012 and I look forward to seeing you. Twitter @EastKentMum.