Following the cancellation of Falmouth’s popular oyster festival due to rising costs, St Michaels Resort has announced plans to host an Oyster Weekend from November 15 to 17.

Falmouth Oyster Festival marked the beginning of the Fal oyster dredging season, with oystermen currently supplying 10,000 oysters to local businesses. The hotel had sponsored it for over 20 years.

Described as a “community event”, St Michaels’ Oyster Weekend will incorporate chef demonstrations from the likes of Jude Kereama, James Strawbridge, Hylton Espey and Rupert Cooper, as well as an oyster shucking competition, a street food-style gourmet offering and the chance to meet oystermen and learn about their craft.

Entry will be free until 6pm, and thereafter tickets can be purchased on the door or in advance for a £2 contribution to a Cornish charity to be confirmed.

Live music include Cornish singer-songwriter Will Keating (joined by local primary schoolchildren), Soul Sensations. the Culdrose Military Wives Choir and The Oggymen.

St Michaels Resort chairman Nigel Carpenter said: “The oyster festival has been a long-standing pillar in the local community, and we’ve had a long association with it. We’re pleased to step in and keep the celebrations alive, given how much they put Falmouth and its produce on the map; and we look forward to the official return of the Falmouth Oyster Festival next year from October 9 to 12.”

St Michaels is also sponsoring the Falmouth International Arts Festival (FIAFEST) from October 5 to 8, and Falmouth Book Festival from October 14 to 20.