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Bayfest: Festival to kick off on Herne Bay seafront

A variety of concerts, workshops, exhibitions, car shows and competitions are expected to draw thousands of people to the seaside over the next five weeks.

This Saturday will mark the beginning of this year’s Bayfest, which will be kicked off with live music on the pier that evening.

The schedule is packed full of events and entertainment for the whole family.

Crowds photographed at last year's carnival
Crowds photographed at last year's carnival

Regular favourites – such as the cartoon and jazz and swing festivals, the carnival and Herne Bay Rocks finale – will all take place.

The festivities will be brought to a close by a fireworks display over Neptune’s Arm on Saturday, August 31.

Organiser Nikki Casey said: “We’ve got another full programme this year.

“Yet again the Seaside Museum and Beach Creative have stepped up and done loads of children’s activities.

“It will be as big as last year’s festival – it’ll be great.”

There will be a community fun day in Cherry Orchard this Sunday.

This weekend's regatta has been cancelled
This weekend's regatta has been cancelled

Over the following weekend, a fair will be held at Wimereux Square, an evening of events promoting cancer will take place on the pier and there live cartoon drawing.

Starting in Central Parade, the carnival float will make its way through the town on Saturday, August 10.

Hundreds of classic cars will descend on the Bay on Sunday, August 11, for the motor show.

Sunday, August 25, will be filled by the Kent Tribute Festival, live music at the Bandstand and a model boat regatta in the Memorial Park.

The Herne Bay Rocks finale show, which traditionally brings the festival to a close, is also set to go ahead, despite fears it would be cancelled in the face of rising costs for emergency cover.

Organiser David Shepherd says the event will definitely take place.

Herne Bay Rocks finale organiser David Shepherd
Herne Bay Rocks finale organiser David Shepherd

“We’re still in discussions to alleviate some of the problems, but the show is still going to go ahead,” he said.

“There’s no way it’s going to be cancelled. We’re still going to have the live music from the winners of the Herne Bay Rocks competition.

“The headline act is one of the UK’s leading Indie rock covers bands. It will playing all the favourite festival anthems, like Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Nirvana, Killers and Oasis.”

All of these events will be interspersed with various fetes, workshops and walks.

Click here for more information about Bayfest.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay

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