Science fiction and fantasy festival Sci-Fi By The Sea in Herne Bay to end after seven years

gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:00, 21 June 2019 | Updated: 08:56, 24 June 2019

The weird and wacky world of science fiction came to part of Kent for the last time at the weekend.

After seven successful years of Sci-fi By The Sea shows in Herne Bay, organisers the Bay Promo Team have decided to call it a day.

Almost 3,000 people flocked to final event on the playing fields at Herne Bay Junior School on Sunday for what has become one of the premier shows of its kind in the UK.

Chewbacca from Star Wars at Sci-Fi by the Sea at Herne Bay Junior School. Picture: Paul Amos

But Scott Turner from Bay Promo said: “We have decided to make it the last one and go out on a high.

“It’s been enormous fun and a great attraction for the town.

"Without Sci Fi by the Sea we would never have got the air show off the ground.

“But it’s a huge undertaking and takes an enormous amount of organisation over eight or nine months.

" And, after all, we are all just volunteers.”

A range of characters pose at Sci-Fi by the Sea at Herne Bay Junior School. Picture: Paul Amos

There to entertain families for the final show were the usual and unusual characters from the world of fantasy film and story books as well as some new ones.

From Stars Wars to Doctor Who and Game of Thrones to Ghostbusters and a host of other characters monsters and props, there was something for all fans of the popular genre.

Also back was old favourite, 8ft robot Titan who wise-cracking antics had crowds in fits of laughter.

Among the celebrities meeting fans and signing autographs were Andrew Lee Potts from Primeval, Mark Strickson, Annette Badland, Rosie Jane and Richard Franklin from Doctor Who and David Sobolov from Guardians of the Galaxy.

Titan the robot entertains crowds at Sci-Fi by the Sea at Herne Bay Junior School. Picture: Paul Amos

Animators and creators also attended and discussed their ideas and techniques with visitors.

The ‘live’ attractions even included a pack of wolves, which the owners supply for fantasy film and advertising work.

But the Bay Promo team will not be resting on their laurals. Although Sci Fi By The Sea is no more, Scott said the team were busy thinking up with new attractions and events for the town which were perhaps not as time-consuming.