Stromness Shopping Week is the longest running festival in Orkney and features a programme packed with a wide range of street entertainment that thrills, excites and engages both children and adults alike.
Held in and around the town of Stromness every July, regular events include the Yard of Ale, the Beer Race, the Holms Swim, and the Shopping Week 10k race. The popular Shopping Week hack usually takes place on the opening Sunday too. Visitors can enjoy Flower Club and WRI displays in Stromness Community Centre and the full calendar also includes events for children such as sports, a round the town race, workshops, pavement art and performers.
The award winning Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band plays throughout the week in various locations, sometimes joined by guest pipe bands. There is a Shopping Week queen and attendants, nominated by Stromness Academy, and a page boy and flower girl nominated by Stromness Primary School.
Over the years there have been many guest visitors to Stromness Shopping Week. Regular, and very popular, guests are the Scalloway Jarl Squad. Every year a different band provides entertainment at the pierhead and at indoor and outdoor dances. Shopping Week's resident band plays at various times throughout the week at the pierhead and in local pubs, and of course at the open air dance on Saturday night where they play until Shopping Week finally draws to a close with an annual fireworks display.
It's a real community event, full of friendly fun and Stromness spirit.
Find out more and view programme information on the official website.