Oyster Festival & Blessing of the Beasts

24th September, 2024

September has been a good month for events with Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival and the ‘Blessing of the Beasts’. Crowds watched the landing of the Oysters at Long Beach on Saturday 14th September and the mud Tug of War, and the lighting up of the grotters together with an amazing firework display on the beach on the Sunday evening.

Sadie Hennessy’s ‘Blessing of the Beasts’ was a spectacular affair on Saturday 21st September. People wearing masks and animal costumes gathered by the tennis courts and performers took part in a variety of displays along the beach. Musician Nigel Hobbins played guitar and sang an old traditional Kentish folk song. Sadie, together with compere Jane Olivia Cornwell and aided by Helene Williams led the large crowd along the seafront. It was a surreal experience to be an observer there.