With traditions dating back to the days of William the Conquerer, the Whitstable Oyster Festival is one of the county’s great institutions. Just don’t forget to try the oysters, writes Chris Price.

Wonderful traditions are always a cornerstone of great Kentish events but the

Whitstable Oyster Festival is essentially about one thing – food, and we’re not just talking oysters.

Ashmore cheese, Faversham fudge, Kentish cobnuts, local beer and wine from Meopham Valley Vineyard are all part of the 70 stalls which make up this foodie frenzy.

The Food Epicentre takes place at Whitstable Harbour during the opening two days of the festival, which runs from Saturday, July 21, to Friday, July 27.

The seven-day festival of fun begins with the Landing of the Oysters on Saturday at about 2.30pm. The ceremony is designed to imitate the original festival in Norman times, bringing a catch of oysters ashore in a traditional yoke.

The Oyster Parade will then take the landed catch through Whitstable, with the mayor delivering oysters to pubs and restaurants en route. Giants, musicians and Vikings will also be on hand to keep him company on the way.

All this is a nod to the Norman period, when Whitstable was already an established fishing port. The fishermen held the festival in July – despite the old adage you should only eat oysters in a month with an ‘R’ in its name – because this was their slack period when demand was low.

That’s why the festival is still held in July but anyone who turns their nose up at the molluscs will still have plenty of reasons to visit the town

Traditional pastimes such as crabbing, kite flying and Punch and Judy will also take place, as well as a series of art exhibitions showing off homegrown and foreign talent.

For something a bit different try blowing the biggest bubbles possible at I Love Whitstabubble on the Tankerton Slopes on Monday, July 23. Event entry £2.

Then catch crabs at Reeves Beach on Tuesday, July 24, in what organisers describe as “the unfairest competition in the whole crabbing universe”. Five judges arbitrarily decide who has caught the best crab (mainly based on who is the nicest competitor), so get ready for some sulks and good humour – and all for just 20p.

The Blessing of the Waters takes place on Reeves Beach on Thursday, July 26, appeasing the seas in a ritual which dates back to 1657.

A procession of clergy and choristers give thanks for the year’s bounty in the historic service, held annually as near as possible to the Feast Day of St James, the patron saint of oystermen.

Also on Thursday at the same spot will be the Not Quite Finale Fireworks at 9.45pm, with the display taking place a day earlier than usual to avoid a clash with the Olympic opening ceremony.

Rounding off the event will be the A1 Open at the Horsebridge Arts Centre on Friday, July 27 – the largest annual exhibition of art in Whitstable. All styles, mediums, techniques and themes will be on show.

Just don’t forget what the whole thing is about. The oysters are lovely, you know.

Whitstable Oyster Festival takes place from Saturday, July 21 to Friday, July 27. For listings go to kentonline.co.uk/whatson or visitwww.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk