The Herne Bay Festival is once again set to bring the seaside to life, with a nine day celebration running from Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th August.
Now in its 19th year, the festival is packed with live music, street theatre, dancing, workshops, walking, family events and children’s competitions as well as an opening parade and grand firework displays on each Saturday evening. Many activities and events are free of charge or have a nominal charge, making this festival affordable for all the family.
Highlights for 2011 will include:
Bollybay Parade- the opening parade will be bursting with vibrant colour and sound, as the Bollywood themed parade moves throughout the town. Workshops are being held in days prior to the parade for children who would like to take part and a Bhangra workshop will take place after the event for anyone who would like to learn more.
Street Theatre
There will be innovative new performances from dynamic street theatre companies across both weekends. The widely acclaimed ‘Granny Turismo’ act from Fool’s Paradise will also be making an appearance on Saturday 27 August, and will be a guaranteed hit. Entrance FREE.
Live Music
The Herne Bay Festival opens its doors to celebrate local music and will have FREE performances from over 50 bands throughout the festival. The annual Herne Bay Rocks competition offers establishing bands the opportunity to compete for a slot on the main stage. This year’s main stage headliner will be Rubber Biscuit, one of Kent’s biggest professional bands. The Central Bandstand will stage alternative folk singer songwriters on the afternoon of Saturday 20.
Family Events
- FREE A kite-flying event on Beacon Hill slopes, overlooking the sea, on Sunday 21 August. Children will be able to make their own kite at a workshop, or bring their own. Demonstrations and tricks will be taught by a team of professionals.
- FREE Hundreds of children clamour to find the largest crab in the sea at the Monster Crab Catching Competition on Sunday 21 August. There are prizes for the winners at the big weigh-in.
- FREE Coastal Walks and Beach Explorations are led by the Kent Wildlife Trust and Foreshore team. Children can learn about sea-life and the local ecology, as well as getting some good sea air!
- FREE The ever popular Punch and Judy shows are back to tickle audiences with racy humour and farcial activity. Traditional entertainment will be taking place at the Central Bandstand on Tuesday 23 and Saturday 27.
- FREE Classic Car and Motor Show featuring the best of classic cars and bikes and a selection of military vehicles. Including a variety of live music.
- FREE One of the most popular festival events, the Giant Sandcastle Competition will be taking place on Wednesday 24 August. Over 150 children compete to build the best sandcastle, which is then judged by a panel with prizes for the winners.
- Numerous workshops including dancing, costume making (for the parade), boat making, weaving, circus skills and singing.
- FREE A huge family picnic will be taking place on Sunday 28 August. The aim of the picnic is to have fun and join in on activities such as rounders, arts and craft and music. There will be street theatre, face painting and live music.
- FREE Our annual talent contest, Herne Bay’s Got Talent is a showground for all weird and wonderful skills! All abilities and ages are able to take part, the audience get involved with the interactive clap-o-meter and prizes go to the winners!
- £6 family roller skating sessions at the Pier Sports Centre
Useful links:
Herne Bay hotels
Herne Bay B&Bs
Herne Bay cottages
Herne Bay campsites
Herney Bay attractions
