Folkestone’s first Fish Festival takes place this weekend. More than 4,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, aimed at celebrating the town’s maritime heritage and promoting locally sourced produce from the sea.

It will take place around the harbour, and feature food demonstrations, stalls selling local produce, tasting of local wine and beer, and a craft fair. There will also be three music stages, all named after local fishing families.

On Sunday there will be a fish pie contest, judged by Rocksalt’s Mark Sargeant, in the Mariners Pub at 1pm. At 2.45pm, the Bishop of Richborough will lead a procession from St Peter’s Church to The Stade, where the Blessing of the Fisheries will take place at around 3.15pm.

The festival has been organised by art gallery owners Johnny Cotter and Andy Shorten and a group of volunteers in an effort to celebrate the town’s heritage
and attract more people to the area.

Johnny said they wanted to create an attraction similar to the Whistable Oyster Festival, which also culminates with a blessing of the fisheries parade and ceremony.

“People don’t realise how great Folkestone is,” he said.

“The town has great transport links, it’s a great place to eat, work and play. There’s a lot of work being done in the harbour with the regeneration, and we thought ‘why not do our bit?’”

He added: “We’re looking to eventually build it up into a week-long festival.”

Folkestone’s first Fish Festival runs from 11am to 10pm on Saturday, June 22, and 10am to 5.30pm on Sunday, June 23.

Car parking will be available all day for £2 at the Rotunda.All proceeds raised will go to National Coastwatch Institution Folkestone and St Peter’s Church, Folkestone. Visit www.fish-fest.net