Herne Bay Festival

We love a summer trip to Herne Bay with both sandy and stony beach, the traditional Pier, promenade playground, bandstand, a bit of arcade action and crazy golf but Festival time is extra fun! Herne Bay Festival runs for a week in August every summer. We have dipped in with various activities and events over the last few years but still have more to try!
Like most festivals it changes slightly every year but the most popular events stay year after year. The festival officially kicks off for 2016 on Saturday 20th August with a family fun day. There are various events including live music, arts and craft, face painting, punch and judy, all culminating in the evening Lantern Parade.

For the kids to take part in the Lantern Parade, there a couple of options. For those age 6+ there are various lantern workshops leading up to the start of the festival, they will need an adult with them and trust me you will be very much involved. You need to pre-book your workshop space, it usually lasts most of the day so you'll need a pack lunch. It is great fun and some amazing lanterns are created, this year the theme is Rio Carnival! The last one we did was 'Take to the Skies' theme a couple of years ago and we created fantastic rockets with Animate Arts. For the little ones or anyone who really can't commit to a full on workshop, there is a drop in session on the day of the parade where you can make a mini lantern so you can still take part.

The parade starts at 8pm at Lane End and you make your way along the promenade, around the pier and finish at the clock tower. If you don't want to walk in the parade then secure a spot along the route early and enjoy the show.

After the parade in previous years there has been the big burn! They create a themed effigy on the beach which gets set alight. When the flames die down the fantastic Fireworks start all along the harbour wall. Its late for littlies but is a great evening.

Throughout the week there are various other family events to get involved in. My recommendations would be the 'Monster Crab Catching Competition' which takes place on Sunday 21st at 2pm. Take your crabbing lines and buckets down to the Pier, bait is supplied. The kids love this one, as there is a prize for the heaviest crab caught in each age group!

If you've got some budding builders then get down to the beach (left of the pier) on the 26th August and sign up for the Sand Castle Building Competition from 12:30! Age categories are under 5s, 6-9, and 10+. This year's theme is Rio Carnival so get creative, let your imagination run wild and impress the judges! All equipment is supplied, but you can bring your own.

For other activites like Sand Art Workshops, Clay Workshop, Make a Fairy/Elf House, Art&Craft Day, Kids Mini Golf Competition and Pip the Magic Clown... go to the website or facebook for details! And don't forget the Fire Station Open Day!

If the teens are all too cool, make sure you check out the 'Herne Bay Rocks' contest with them. Bands battle it out in 7 heats across 7 venues. They play throughout the festival culminating in the grande finale on Friday 26th at The King's  Hall.The final weekend also includes 'Herne Bays Got Talent' for all those wannabes, from under 5s to Adults; The finale Fireworks spectacular at The Neptune Arms and the annual Giant Picnic at the Memorial Park on the Sunday but I am assuming that the 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Fundraiser' is the equivalent this year.

It's particularly busy in Herne Bay at festival time so if you can get the bus or the train down its a good idea. We have got the train in previous years, it's about 20 minute walk to the seafront we usually cut through the memorial park. There are various car parks including pay and display car park or meters on the seafront or the central car park has recently changed to pay on exit with first 2 hours free.

There are plenty of public toilets. On the seafront they are located at the bandstand, or past the pier on the opposite side of the road or at the other end of the bay at the King's Hall. There are also toilets at the Memorial Park and next to the central car park adjacent to the council office. I need to go more than the kids so always handy to know where they are, lol!

So pack a picnic, your crab line, buckets and spades, your best singing voice, some creative flair and enjoy your trip to 'the bay'!

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic, Crab lines, Pennies for the arcade.
Time: 2-8hrs

Boing Festival!

The Boing Festival isn't until the end of the summer but as the tickets for the not free bits are already on sale I thought might as well blog about it now!
This Free Family Festival is on August Bank holiday weekend, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August this year. It takes place in and around the Gulbenkian Theatre on the University of Kent campus in Canterbury. Not only is it FREE to enter, it's FREE to park and there are plenty of FREE shows and activities alongside the ticketed events and workshops. Spend a few hours, all day or both days whatever suits you.

Being all about introducing children and families to drama, music, and dance the line up changes every year but the style is still the same. If going to the theatre is a very rare occurance or you've never considered watching dance theatre or your not sure if your littliest ones will sit still long enough to enjoy it, this is a great opportunity to give it a go. Like most Summer events you'll get more out of it when the weather's reasonable but there's plenty to do regardless.

The free shows are aimed at everyone although some will appeal more to one age group than another. They normally run twice a day both days so you don't have to miss anything and are mostly held outside so you can wonder in and out as you please.

Last year's favourite performance for us was 'Fragile' which consisted of dancers using enormous cubed scaffold frames and 3 large diggers, what child could resist dance, music and construction equipment! The boys loved it!

We also followed the story of the fabulous Lyma Bird and helped to find the missing baby birds, interactive theatre at its best!

There were also some Pirates in Treasure Island and a toddlers disco. In between the shows we ate some bbq (you can take a picnic), had a drink and hung out near the ART31 music stage. There were also free face painters, balloons and art activities.

This year I am particularly looking forward to checking out...'Kapow' "Three of planet Earth’s greatest superheroes are getting ready to battle it out for the title of ‘Most Supreme Superhero… Ever’". Click here for a taster Kapow Trailer.

Also want to give The Silent Disco a go with the stars of Cbeebies 'Spot Bots' Three Half Pints... and 'Ride' especially good for teens! But there's lots more free shows and we might even book up for some of the ticketed shows and workshops this year although we might struggle to fit it all in! For full listing of free and ticketed shows Click Here or follow on Facebook. The family films and workshops are yet to be confirmed.

Best For: Everyone - Toddlers to Teens
Recommend: Picnic Rug; 
Time: 4-6hrs