Press Release 14th July 2011

Whitstable Shops Dress to Impress

Shops in Whitstable are all set to add to a blaze of colour and creativity to this year’s Oyster Festival. Shops throughout Whitstable and Tankerton will be dressing their windows in a seaside or nautical theme in a bid to take away the 2011 trophy for the Festival’s Best Dressed Window competition.

With 40 entrants already registered, the number of shops taking part is already almost double last year’s total, and there is still time for more entrants to come forward.

The competition will be judged by a panel of three, including the Secretary of the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association David Roberts, Jenny Koukoulis, Manager of the Whitstable Improvement Trust, and Cathy McTurk a well known local artist and art tutor.

David says that the judges will be looking for flair, imagination and creativity. Commenting on the level of interest shown he said “the local traders have been great; there is a terrific amount of enthusiasm this year and looks as if it is going to be a competition record”.

The tradition of having a Best Dressed Window competition during the Oyster Festival was revived last year, and immediately proved why it had even so popular in the past. The competition bar is set high. In 2010 the prize was taken by Pearl and Hemingway in Harbour Street for an imaginative display which included a live mermaid sitting in the window.

Windows must be dressed in time for the Festival which starts on the Saturday 23^rd July. Judging and prize giving will take place on Thursday 28^th July. The event is free to enter and open to all shops. Late entries can be received up to 21^st July by phoning David on 01227 277580.

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