Stora Nolia in Piteå 2016 – the fair with everything

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Motorhomes, cheeses, tractors, interior design and dance performances. When we visited Stora Nolia in Piteå in 2016, we understood the expression ”everything from pins to excavators”. Over several days we had time to discover the fair's wide range, meet friends and talk travel with both Tony Irving and Frida Ramstedt.

By motorhome to Stora Nolia

We drove up to Piteå with our campervan friends Thore and Catta. On the way we spent the night in Örnsköldsvik harbour and stopped by Bea's smokehouse in Jävre, following tips from several readers.

We had already eaten lunch when we got to the smokehouse, but we still got to take a smoked char with us in the camper. Then we continued to Rosvik, where the Motorhome Club had arranged a stand for the fair.

The fair where you could find almost everything

Stora Nolia offered a mix of campers, furniture, garden products, clothing, design and outdoor equipment. There was even a hall with antiques.

We didn't spontaneously buy a camper, but we did buy a frying pan. Since we're usually pretty good at destroying frying pans, we were curious when the salesperson said that this particular one would be difficult to destroy.

We also got to take some small kitchen tools home with us. At a trade fair, it's easy to be convinced that a tool that cuts fun potato screws is exactly what you need...

Food and drink – one of our favorite parts

In the Food & Drink hall, the exhibitors were packed, and there were plenty of opportunities to both taste and shop. We found cheeses, smoked meats, sausages, bread, olives, nuts and many other goodies.

At Åsbergets gårdsmejeri we tried, among other things, the cheese Blå Astrid and a dragon-marinated feta cheese made from goat's milk. There was also beer from breweries in northern Sweden and a bar that served pintxos, small snacks on bread.

Of course, we couldn't help but shop. We took several cheeses, wild boar sausage, smoked pork belly, large capers and gahkku, Sami flatbread, home to the camper. The result was a really good buffet dinner.

Motorhomes and other vehicles

There were plenty of motorhomes to look into. Among other things, we looked at models from Adria, Bürstner, LMC and Knaus.

One of my, Helena's, favorites was the Adria Sonic Plus I 700 SL, with a spacious seating area, a nice bedroom and a kitchen with an oven. We were also curious about the Adria Compact Plus SLS, which could be extended in a stationary position with a slideout by the bed.

Outside the campers there was everything from sports cars and snowmobiles to off-road vehicles and large tractors. Peter and Thore were happy to test drive one, and in the case of a particularly large tractor, Peter was given the role of size reference in the picture.

Make me over and dance with Tony Irving

On stage, two women got a new style with the help of hairdresser and makeup artist Eva-Lena Rylander and stylist Hedvig Andér. We thought it was extra fun to follow the transformation because one of the participants was our blog acquaintance Henny Lindgren.

Henny got a shorter haircut and clothes that really suited her. Then it was time to show off the results, with encouragement and catwalk tips from Tony Irving.

Tony also offered a dance show together with Tobias Wallin, David Watson, Malin Watson and Cecilia Ehrling. He himself had his arm in a sling after a cycling injury, but that didn't stop him from entertaining the audience.

Our friend Thore also got an unexpected role in the show. When Tony was looking for participants in the audience, Thore was one of those who got to come up on stage and try out his dancing skills. Those of us who stayed behind had a lot of fun!

Four quick travel questions for Tony Irving

After the show, we had the opportunity to ask Tony a few questions. Here are his answers from the 2016 meeting.

What is your favourite destination in Sweden?

When I just want to relax, I like the area around Sundsvall. I also like Gränna, and I have recently discovered a nice place near Bollnäs.

What is your favourite destination in the world?

Crete!

How do you prefer to travel, is it by motorhome?

I love travelling by motorhome – but not to Crete!

What is your dream destination?

South Africa! I've been there once, but didn't get to see much and would love to see more.

Frida Ramstedt about interior design and travel

During the fair, we also listened to Frida Ramstedt, who runs the interior design blog Trendenser. She lectured on topics such as proportions and color, and how interior design doesn't have to be about constantly buying new things. Instead, you can try to find your own style and make thoughtful choices.

After the lecture, we asked Frida the same kind of travel questions. These answers are also from 2016.

What is your favourite destination in Sweden?

If I can't choose Norrland, where I come from, I choose Österlen. I like it there and as a northerner I think it's nice that the distances between all places are so short.

What is your favourite destination in the world?

Then I say Shanghai, where I studied. It's a bit of a messy city, so you might not come back again and again, but it's a city with a pulse. Just as many people go to New York, I think you can go to Shanghai!

How do you prefer to travel?

I love travelling by train!

What is your dream destination?

The lavender fields in France.

Meetings that became part of the journey

In addition to exhibitions and stage programs, we had time to meet both old and new acquaintances. Our blog friends Dessan and Kjell were there, as was Henny, and our travel companions Thore and Catta contributed to many pleasant moments.

That's perhaps the mix we remember best from Stora Nolia 2016: the campers, the tastings, the unexpected meetings and evenings together. And a buffet dinner in the camper with all the goodies we had found at the fair.

READ MORE: Things to do in Piteå – our best tips