Paisley town centre will host a day-long programme of entertainment on Saturday 4th July as the town marks the 40th anniversary of Sma’ Shot Day celebrations.
Sma’ Shot Day is one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals and takes its name from a dispute between local shawl weavers and manufacturers in the 19th century.
The Sma’ Shot parade will leave Brodie Park at 12 noon and make its way through Paisley town centre before finishing at Abbey Close.
This year’s parade is being co-ordinated by Bridgeman Arts in collaboration with more than 20 local community groups, performers and musicians. It will feature two new puppets.
A giant blue goddess puppet celebrating the cultural diversity of the region will be accompanied by the Abhinaya classical Indian dance group and STAR Project. A giant footballer puppet in the colours of St Mirren will be accompanied by right2dance and Renfrewshire Young Carer’s Centre, who have created props and costumes.
The annual Burning of the Cork spectacle will take place at 2pm. It will be preceded by a performance from Renfrewshire’s Tannahill Makar, Shaun Moore, and followed by a dance performance from right2dance.
PACE Youth Theatre will perform a re-enactment of the Paisley weavers’ struggle for payment of the Sma’ Shot thread. There will also be a specially commissioned collaborative performance by the School of African Cultures Ubuntu Drumming Group and traditional musicians from Fèis Phàislig, alongside other local performers.
Street performances will take place throughout the day. Free activities for children will include face painting, inflatables and sports-themed arts and crafts.
Visitors will also have the chance to meet Glasgow 2026 mascot Finnie, who will be posing for photographs ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Community groups will host stalls throughout the event. The Big Feed will run a market outside Paisley Town Hall featuring hot food and artisan traders.
On Browns Lane, Restoration and Creation will host children’s workshops throughout the day and a special 40th anniversary street party from 4pm with live music, a ceilidh and a DJ.
The Sma’ Shot Cottages will be open for tours, giving visitors an opportunity to explore Paisley’s textile history and learn about life as a weaver in the 18th and 19th centuries.
A tea dance will take place at the Methodist Central Hall, while the Sma’ Shot Poetry Slam returns to Paisley Arts Centre from 6pm. Tickets are available from OneRen.
Sma’ Shot Day is organised by Renfrewshire Council as part of its major events programme and is sponsored by Unison Renfrewshire. More information is available at the council’s website.
Headline photo: The Sma’ Shot Day parade will return to Paisley town centre on Saturday 4th July as part of the festival’s 40th anniversary celebrations
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council