Faversham has its hop festival and Rochester celebrates Charles Dickens. Now Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey is staging its first Festival of the Sea.

The week-long event, which kicks off tomorrow night (Saturday), will feature a king and queen of the sea pageant, swimming with mermaids, free town centre music and the return of the Sheppey carnival.

It has been put together by volunteers from the Sheerness Town Team. Chairman Phil Crowder said: "Over the years, Sheppey has been known for its Zulus, Donkey Derby and the World Walking The Plank Championships.

"But it's never had a festival of the sea before, until now.

"It seemed incredible to me that, despite being an island surrounded by water, no one had thought of doing anything like this before."

He added: "This year is very much a pilot. We are deliberately starting small in the hope that it will grow into something bigger and better every year."

The fun kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) with the annual fancy dress Sunset Seaside Stroll for Cancer Research UK.

Walkers will gather outside the Little Oyster on The Leas at Minster at 8pm - 20 minutes before sunset - and then stroll along the coast to Queenborough. Booking is £10.

A King and Queen of the Sea pageant is being held at the Oasis Academy's Sheerness site in Marine Parade on Sunday from 4pm. Entry forms are from the Little Shop of This and That. Organiser Samantha Edgar said: "We have had lots of interest from women and girls for our under-16 and over-16 categories but strangely no entries from men or boys yet."

A series of 20 funny face photo boards painted by Sheppey artist Richard Jeferies will be revealed on Monday in Beachfield Gardens between the Healthy Living Centre and swimming pool from 10am to 4pm.

Tuesday will highlight Sheppey's history with a tour of three museums beginning at Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities in Sheerness at 9.45am, moving to Eastchurch Aviation Museum and ending at Blue Town Heritage Centre for cream teas. Tickets are limited to 16. They cost £9.50 (under-16s £7.50) from 01795 662981 and include admission to all museums and mini bus travel.

Martin and Rosemary Hawkins from the Eastchurch Aviation Museum will at the Sheppey Little Theatre in Meyrick Road, Sheerness, at 7.30pm that evening to talk about the beginnings of the Royal Naval Air Service on Sheppey. Tickets are £4 on the door.

Action switches to Sheerness seafront on Wednesday for free rock pooling and clay art sessions at the RNLI lifeguard hut from 10am to noon with the Seashells Children's Centre followed by a "massive litter pick" from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at five locations. Sea-themed poetry readings will be at the Rumour bistro at 7pm.

On Thursday there is a chance for 30 youngsters to "swim with a mermaid" at Sheerness Pool between 10am and 2pm. There will be three one-hour sessions allowing 10 people at a time to swim with a "real" mermaid. Children must be at least six years old and able to swim a length of the pool unaided.

They will be fitted with special "tails".

Mr Crowder said: "The bookings are proving very popular. We also have room for a few mermen. Some of them might like to pretend to be sharks instead."

The free sessions have been sponsored by Specsavers but places are limited.

The day coincides with the Sheppey Matters Big Bash from 11am to 2pm in Beachfield Gardens with face-painting, bouncy castle, close-up magic and animal encounters. A fun pirates and mermaids picnic takes place at the Criterion Theatre, Blue Town, at 1.30pm (tickets £6).

Free music is in Sheerness Broadway on Friday, August 19, from 10am to 4pm featuring the Jo Eden Project, The Bonnevilles Band and the Fiato Saxophone Ensemble performing original pieces inspired by Sheppey.

The week culminates with the return of the Sheppey carnival on Saturday, August 20, at 4pm with at least five carnival queens, 8th Sheppey Scouts, the fire brigade, Tim Bell with his mobile replica clock tower and the popular Croydon Steel Band. The procession will start from New Road.

Mr Crowder said: "Floats and walkers are asked to adopt a sea theme of their choosing. Following public feedback, decorated mobility scooters, cars, trailers and small lorries are welcome."

The parade will be followed by Hollands funfair and free fireworks display on the seafront near the sandpit.

There will be an indoor craft fair at Holy Trinity Church Hall and free daily family film and craft events at the Salvation Army Hall in the High Street. To book a place call 07552 874375 or email here.

The Criterion Theatre is hosting a Cockney sing-along pie and chips supper (£25) from noon on Friday (01795 662981). Mark Allinson will give an illustrated talk about the Thames barge Raybel, which was built in Milton Creek 100 years ago, at the Sheppey Little Theatre on Friday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 on the door.

For more details of any events, call Phil Crowder on 07969 480385 or email him here.