Stromness Shopping Week 2012

We may still be waiting for the summer weather to start but the yearly calendar of events is moving ever onwards. Next week sees the high point of many Stromness bairns' summer, as the 64th Stromness Shopping Week gets under way. For any still unaquainted with the phenomenon which is Shopping Week you can find a history of the event, which began in 1949, on the Shopping Week website.

With a packed programme of events for all ages the Shopping Week committee have worked tirelessly to make this year's event as much of a success as ever, if only they could organise the sun to shine it would be perfect! But whatever the weather we're sure folk will enter into the spirit of proceedings, with old favourites such as the pavement artist competition, doughnut eating contest and fancy-dress parade joined by a pram race and rag and bone race amongst other new or returning events.



Pavement artists

 This year's Shopping Week Queen is Alanna Swanney from Birsay, with attendants Katrina Bevan from Stenness and Annabella Penny from Harray, pageboys George Argo and David Laughton, and flower girl Taylor Phillips, all from Stromness. They'll all be hoping the sun shines for the queen's crowning at the official opening ceremony on Monday 16th July at 11am.



Shopping Week Queen 2012 and her attendants



Shopping Week Queen and attendants 2011

 So come to Stromness next week and enjoy the Shopping Week festivities, and on your way along the street why not pop into the library for a book, a read of the papers, free wifi, or even just a chat? Whether the sun shines or not you're guaranteed a warm welcome.