Community / Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at the Voe Show
Hundreds turned out to the Voe Show despite the weather to enjoy a day of prizes, games, and music, writes Sarah Cooper.
The 2023 agricultural show season kicked off in Voe on Saturday with a family-friendly day full of activities including face-painting, bouncy castles, live music, and teas. The queue for the car park tailed back past the Voe public toilets as crowds flocked to the site.
It was a day for wellies and raincoats, but that didn’t stop anyone from enjoying themselves and viewing the numerous entries.
Director and chairman of the Voe Agricultural Society Martyn Nicolson said he was “delighted” with the turnout and added: “We’ve just a bump of rain but it doesn’t seem to be affecting folk’s spirits. It’s encouraging to see people still coming, even with the weather.”
The judges deliberated from 9am to midday across a vast range of categories suitable for all ages to apply for.
Sarah Kay from Scalloway scooped up the top prize for the ‘cut floral art’ category with a coronation themed arrangement of roses. Meanwhile, Adele Jeromson from Voe won the best entry in the pre-school category for her Henry the Hoover themed flower arrangement.
Although the entries for each category vary every year, 2023 saw more entries than 2022’s event, which was the first return of the Voe Show after a three-year absence because of Covid.
The knitwear categories were popular, showcasing some of the excellent talent locally available in Shetland for Fair Isle knitwear and shawls.
Three jarl squads from across the North and Central Mainland (Delting, Nesting & Girlsta, and Northmavine) made an appearance to rouse the crowd with a lively rendition of the Up Helly Aa song. They were joined by the Brae School jarl squad too.
Nicolson said: “This is the first year we’ve had the Brae School squad here, and they’ve all had a sing-song and are mingling with the crowd now.”
The Voe hall was filled with knitwear, photography, and baked goods available for sale once the daytime festivities ended. A separate tent held all the pets entered into the show, and there was a variety of livestock outside including Shetland ponies, cows, sheep, and goats.
Nicolson also thanked all the volunteers and musicians who come out to make the Voe Show a success every year.
Live music was on throughout the day, giving people a flavour of traditional Shetland music while they tucked into food supplied by JK Mainlands, 2 Guys, and Miss Sprinkles.
Plenty of people enjoyed ice cream sundaes even with the rain clouds lingering overhead – it takes a lot more than a spell of rain to deter Shetlanders from having a good day.
Local craft makers and charities set up in a tent filled with local fayre available to buy – from homemade jams to artwork and cards. All the tents were packed with attendees, and spirits remained high even during the ongoing showers with children dancing to the music and long queues for each of the food vans.
The festivities continue in the Voe hall with the First Foot Soldiers entertaining later at night.
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