Lerwick town centre will celebrate the run up to the arrival of the Queens Baton with a Fair Isle Festival, with activities on Saturday 28th June, Monday 30th June and finishing off with the arrival of the Queens Baton in the town centre on Tuesday 1stJuly. This event is provided by the businesses in Lerwick town centre with a contribution of £8575 from Celebrate. Full details on the festival including market stalls, chefs, musicians, race times, etc. can be found at www.livinglerwick.co.uk and on the Living Lerwick Fair Isle Festival Facebook event page.
Over the three days, there will be a flag hunt competition with a star prize donated by Northlink of a return trip for two to Aberdeen (car and vehicle included). The commonwealth flag posters will be in business windows and on market stalls in Fort Charlotte. Each flag has a Shetland word translated into English and the language of the country the flag represents. Entry forms cost £1 and are available from Living Lerwick Ltd directors businesses: Boots, M & Co., J.G. Rae, Tourist Centre, Peerie Shop, Specsavers and The Camera Centre.
On the Saturday, the activities start with a Shetland Food Producers Group market in Fort Charlotte from 11am to 6pm. A demonstration kitchen with chefs: Glynn Wright, Dan Callieu of Hay’s Dock, Mr Phet and Mr Ura of Phusiam Thai Restaurant will run from 12.30pm in the TA Hall. The chefs will fuse Shetland produce with various styles of cooking from around the commonwealth.
A bairn’s sports day will run alongside this on the grassed area in Fort Charlotte from 12pm – 3pm. There will be six races for each of the two age groups. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each race will be presented at 3pm with a gold, silver or bronze medal donated by J.G. Rae Ltd.
At Harrison Square from 1pm – 7pm, there will be live music from local artists with a commonwealth theme.
On the Monday a Shetland craft market will run in Fort Charlotte from 11am – 6pm. The bouncy castle will be there too, so there’s something for the little ones while you browse what’s on offer. There will also be live music in Harrison Square from 1pm to 6pm.
On the Tuesday the Shetland craft market and bouncy castle will be in Fort Charlotte from 11am – 6pm and live music will be in Harrison Square from 1pm – 7pm. The Queens Baton is scheduled to arrive at Victoria Pier at 5.15pm and will travel and Commercial Street and the Esplanade.
Businesses will be taking part in the celebrations by creating Fair Isle window displays which is greatly anticipated as there were many fantastic displays last year. Various shops will also be opening late!
Living Lerwick Events Director, Steve Mathieson said: “We would like everyone, businesses and public alike to fully immerse themselves in these celebrations, take part in the fun activities and show off our town centre!”