Programme revealed for the 2024 Sma Shot Day celebrations
Paisley town centre will host a day-long programme of entertainment this summer to celebrate Sma' Shot Day – one of the world’s oldest worker's festivals.
Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 6 June 2024 17:06
Sma’ Shot Day celebrates a 19th-century victory by the town’s weavers over their bosses in an industrial dispute. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 6 July and will see the return of the popular parade and Burning of the Cork, live performances, workshops, family entertainment and much more.
The Sma’ Shot parade will leave from Brodie Park at 12 noon, led by the familiar sound of the Charleston Drum, before making its way through Paisley town centre and finishing at Abbey Close.
This year’s parade is being co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts in collaboration with a number of local community groups, performers and musicians with this year’s parade highlighting some of the performers and characters who might have appeared at Paisley Fair at the time.
Once the parade reaches Abbey Close and Bridge Street people will witness the spectacle of the Burning of the Cork – a highlight of the Sma’ Shot Day celebrations.
The event will also feature performances on the main stage from PACE Youth Theatre, who will re-enact the struggles of the Paisley weavers in their efforts for payment of the Sma’ Shot, the RockUs choir, cover band Proposal, Sharon Martin, Evelyn Laurie and Caitlin Bonner Dance Company.
There will be street performances taking place throughout the day as well as free activities for children including face painting, inflatables, arts and crafts and a sports day hosted by Furry Murry’s Adventure Playground. OneRen’s Skoobmobile will also be at the event with lots of fun, games and summer reading.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a treat or two from one of the food traders that will be on site as well.
In addition to events at Abbey Close and Bridge Street, there will be a programme of live music at The Bungalow venue and the popular Poetry Slam in the late afternoon. Upcycling business Restoration and Creation on Browns Lane, which will be hosting the Brown Lane Makers’ Market from 12pm, featuring live music from local performers throughout the day and a variety of children’s workshops - bookable in advance.
The historic Sma’ Shot Cottages will also be open for tours, where visitors can take a trip back in time to two distinctive periods of Paisley’s rich textile history and see what life was like as a weaver in the town in the 18th and 19th centuries, and The Art Department will be hosting the Project Ability textile exhibition ‘Press, Print, Repeat’ from 10am - a tangible exploration of Renfrewshire’s diverse textile heritage by ASL pupils from Mary Russell School, Corseford School and Riverbrae School.
Plus, there’s an afternoon of dancing and timeless tunes to enjoy at the Tea Dance at the Methodist Central Hall.
Sma’ Shot Day is organised by Renfrewshire Council as part of the area’s major events programme which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Renfrewshire Council Events Manager Pauline Allan said: “Sma’ Shot Day is an important day for Renfrewshire where we come together and celebrate our town’s history. There’s so much for people to enjoy this year and we can’t wait to welcome the community for a fantastic day in Paisley Town Centre.”
To find out more about this year’s Sma’ Shot Day celebrations, visit: www.paisley.is
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Top line up delivers another blockbuster Paisley Book Festival
A legendary author, celebrity chefs and musical heroes helped to write a fantastic new chapter for Paisley Book Festival.
READ MORE
Thousands attend double helping of Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2025
Paisley Food and Drink Festival saw thousands of people turn out to enjoy a fantastic range of street food and entertainment over the weekend.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
Malaysian Scottish chef to give Paisley Book Festival audience Sama more recipes to bring people together
Renowned Glasgow restaurant co-founder to discuss new book and influences as she appears alongside The Hebridean Baker, Pam Brunton and Katie Goh.
READ MORE
ACCORD Hospice Art Exhibition to open on 1st May
This year's ACCORD Hospice Annual Art Exhibition will be opened by Lord Provost of Paisley, Councillor Lorraine Cameron, on Thursday 1st May at 4pm.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
New trail highlights the amazing musical history of Paisley
Paisley's remarkable musical story - featuring chart-toppers, cult heroes and rioters - to be told as part of book festival.
READ MORE
Thistles & Tykes, a new role play village and soft play area located in Renfrew, is now open
Thistles & Tykes, a new role play village and soft play area located in Renfrew has officially opened its doors!
READ MORE
Fashion writer with PhD in Prince to explore stories and style at Paisley Book Festival
Cultural historian Dr Casci Ritchie hails 'incredible buzz' that showpiece event brings as she encourages visitors to explore town.
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
First Paisley Comedy Festival hailed a hit
Audiences packed Paisley's Town Hall and Arts Centre for inaugural event with former MP-turned-stand up performer among the headliners.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links