If you enjoy fresh Cornish seafood and an eclectic mix of music and first-class entertainment, you’ll not want to miss Falmouth Oyster Festival this weekend.

Falmouth Oyster Festival starts early this year with seven-piece jump jive band Company B promising an opening night party tomorrow evening.

The official opening ceremony takes place from 11am tomorrow, with Miracle Theatre’s Keri Jessiman and Sally Crooks presenting a lively performance from Falmouth’s primary school children, followed by a cookery demonstration from award winning chef owner of St Tudy Inn, Emily Scott.

At lunchtime, The Tinners return to play their mix of Irish, Scottish and English Folk music on fiddles, banjo, whistle, guitar and keyboard.

On Thursday night, with a wealth of tales and yarns to spin, Falmouth Oyster Festival presents an evening with Cornwall’s greatest comedy export, funny man Johnny Cowling and live music from The Countrymen, best described as Cornish Rock Folk Harmony.

The evening supports donations to Children’s Hospice South West.

On Friday morning, local musician Viv Robertson will play a mix of Blues, Folk, Country, Rock and Reggae. In the afternoon, relax to the tones of Joe Francis, a Cornish soulful singer and songwriter and multi instrumentalist. Friday evening, wielding knives, whisks and saucepans, the Hot Chef culinary battle takes on a twist as reigning champion Nick Hodges confronts a new challenger, celebrity chef and founder of the Posh Pasty Company, James Strawbridge. To round off the evening, join us for funky Friday as Freshly Squeezed, a raging live funk and hip-hop outfit guarantee a lively dance floor. The evening supports donations to Shelter Box.

On Saturday, ‘jazzing up’ lunchtime, old time favourites the Black Rock Jazz Band return with their New Orleans style music followed by high energy Russell Sinclair in the afternoon, a blues singer with a reputation for his energetic guitar performances. Saturday evening, supported by Russell, presents hard-hitting Chicago Blues band Smokey’s King Shufflers. The evening supports donations to The Fishermen’s Mission.

On Sunday, high energy Cornish ceilidh band Krelys will get feet stomping with their repertoire of Irish music and in the afternoon the festival comes to a close with traditional folk/harmony from Falmouth’s best-loved Cornish male voices, The Oggymen.

This year the festival organisers are delighted to welcome Seasalt Cornwall as its Principal Sponsor.

At the festival there will be a number of new influences from the Cornish fashion brand including décor contributions, staff uniform, 20 per cent off purchases from their Falmouth store (take your festival programme) and the opportunity to purchase unique Seasalt canvas bags and ladies shirts, inspired by the look, feel and characters of the festival. (Bags are available to purchase at the festival and shop, shirts at the shop in Falmouth and online - via Seasalt).

“It’s great to have support from and to work in partnership with Seasalt Cornwall. Their generous contribution has added so much more to the festival offer this year,” said Sam Groom.

This adds to our existing partnerships with St Michaels who also host a variety of delightful events at their hotel during the festival and Skinners who brew Penny Come Quick, a legendary stout especially for the festival”.

Entry to Falmouth Oyster Festival is free during the day.

Evening entertainment tickets cost £10 each and can be purchased online via SeeTickets, from Fal River Visitor Information Centre and on the door during the festival.

The 2019 festival will take place from Wednesday to Sunday.

For details of the festival programme and further information please visit www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk, join us on http://www.facebook.com/falmouthoysterfestival or follow us on https://twitter.com/FalOysterFest. For full details of oyster events at St Michaels go to www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk or call 01326 312707.