Dates announced for Flavour of Shetland 2007
The organisers of Flavour of Shetland have announced that this year's extravaganza, which celebrates the very best of what Shetland has to offer in terms of music, food and drink, crafts, culture and entertainment, will be held from 21 to 24 June.
Last year, a staggering 36,000 visits were recorded through the gates of Victoria Pier in Lerwick's town centre making the event a success beyond Shetland's greatest expectations. The line-up for this year's event promises to keep it at the top of everyone's places to go this summer.
The action-packed programme includes cookery demonstrations led by Master Chef George McIvor, who will provide tasty inspiration for the wealth of high quality ingredients synonymous with the islands, with lamb and seafood featuring prominently on the menu.
Local food outlets will serve a sample of Shetland's finest produce with traceability and provenance to the fore.
Wandering around the event, visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in craft working or watch craft demonstrations and, armed with a taste of what Shetland's craftspeople have to offer, can then browse around the market and buy unique products to take home.
Dominating the scene, the entertainment marquee will vibrate with a wide variety of traditional and contemporary music as local artistes perform informal sessions. In fact, wherever you are on the pier, these lively tunes will be heard creating a real festival atmosphere.
Storytelling will also play a big part as storytellers from Shetland and invited guests from England, Ireland, the Western Isles and the Highlands come together to tell tales and myths of legend and folklore.
A spectacular Viking parade will captivate onlookers as squads of guizers dressed in Viking attire from Shetland-wide Up Helly Aa fire festivals march through the town centre, and this amazing sight will be complemented by a varied programme of activities for children.
Commenting on this year's event, organiser Nicola Halcrow said: "Each year Flavour of Shetland gets bigger and better and we're delighted that it can now hold its own against other long-standing renowned events including the Up Helly Aa fire festival and the Shetland Folk Festival.
"The event is designed to bring together everything that is special about Shetland in one place so that visitors can mingle with locals and get a real appreciation of what the islands have to offer. It's really a snapshot of Shetland's arts and culture in Lerwick's town centre and, with so much happening over the four days, definitely well worth a visit."
Further information from:
Nicola Halcrow, Shetland Islands Council, tel 01595 744944, email nicola.halcrow@sic.shetland.gov.uk
Or Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com