Whitstable Harbour Day and classic car show both take place this weekend

Crowds are expected to descend on Whitstable this weekend for the return of the popular Harbour Day.

The long-running event is going ahead on Saturday (August 20), starting at 11am with the official opening by Miss Whitstable.

Graham West, from the Whitstable Harbour Association, which organises the day, said it is held to raise awareness of the working harbour and to raise money for groups and charities in the area including the RNLI, the Sea Scouts, the Medway Queen and Kent Air Ambulance.

Mr West said: “It covers all of the harbour area and goes on until 4.30pm.

“We have free face painting for kids, Heron Model Boat Club by the fishermen's store, the Magic Man, Punch and Judy on the stage and also pirates and mermaids fancy dress for under 12s with prizes to be won.

“Splashpals Newfoundland dogs will be displaying on the beach next to the West Quay and there will be live music from the 1st Whitstable Scouts Band, Whitstable Sea Cadets and Burt Butler by the West Quay entrance.

“On the East Quay will be a ride-on train by Canterbury Model Club and loads of various stalls.”

The town’s barge match will also return as part of the festivities, which have run annually since 1992.

Tankerton Slopes are also set to be packed at the weekend with the Whitstable Classic Motor Show.

Six hundred classic cars will be rolling into town on Sunday (August 21) from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

As well as the cars, there will be live music, stalls and children’s rides at the free day, which is a Classic Music & Motors event run in partnership with the Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions.