Black Country Festival: What's on over the weekend
Fly your Black Country flags with pride – that is the message from council chiefs and community leaders as Black Country Day approaches.
People have been encouraged to show their support for the region as its day of celebration approaches.
The Black Country Festival has got bigger and bigger since it launched four years ago.
See below for a full list of what's going on over the next three days.
Dudley Castle at Dudley Zoological Gardens – one of the most famous landmarks in the region – also has a flag flying from the famous tower.
Council bosses have been flying the Black Country flag from the roof of Dudley's town hall for some time, but will also be adding one to the roof of the council house on Friday to mark Black Country Day.
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said: "It's really fantastic to see how this has grown.
"It started out as an idea and to see it grow into such a spectacular celebration is great.
"The Black Country Festival is getting bigger and bigger every year.
"From our point of view Dudley is the historic capital of the Black Country and so we love celebrating the history and heritage.
"But it is also great to get the community involved.
"We've got a great past and we should celebrate that – but the support for the festival shows we've also got a very bright future."
Festival founder Steve Edwards said: "The support we've had has been absolutely fantastic.
"Already this month we've had an increase it numbers at the Stourbridge Carnival and Halesowen Carnival.
"Everybody is so proud to be from the Black Country and that shows why the flag is the second best seller behind the Union Jack – which is amazinh.
"I would never have thought we would get so big as it's got.
"I think it's going to keep growing and growing in the future.
"It's getting bigger and better and I think it will continue to do so."
What's on each day:
JULY 14: 7pm start – at Great Bridge Library there will be a Black Country Variety Show featuring poetry, magic, music and comedy. Compere will be Billy Spakemon, while performers will be Tom Heyes, Jonathan Hipkiss, Eileen Ward Birch, Black Country Gaz and Ron Popple.
JULY 14: Black Country Day Live At The Civic Special - at Brierley Hill Civic Hall. Comedy event starring Ross Noble (Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, QI and many more), plus local acts Jonny Cole, Darren Harriott and Mike Crump. It will be hosted by Dudley’s Wayne Beese. Doors and bar opens at 7pm, with the show starting around 8pm and ending around 11pm. Over 18s only. Tickets cost £22.
July 15: Dudley Fun Day takes place in Stone Street from 11am to 6pm. Free entertainment will take place throughout the day, including live music, street entertainers, poetry, wrestling and arts and craft stalls.
July 15: Ultimate Soul and Motown Night at Brierley Hill Civic Hall. Event for over 18s only. Entry costs £5 in advance or £6 on the door.
JULY 15: OH Fest is taking place in Old Hill, featuring parades, classic cars, loads of stalls and entertainment. A parade is planned for 11.15am. There will also be tribute acts playing the music of stars such as Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond and Amy Winehouse. Take That and Jersey Boys tributes will also perform from 7pm. The daytime event is free, while the evening show is ticket only.
JULY 15 & 16: Teenage Market at the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley. Young people will be on site, from ages 12 to 23, selling and performing.
JULY 15: Bilston Town Black Country Day will take place in Bilston High Street from 10am till 4pm. Entertainment will include live music, dance, facepainting, children’s entertainment, a marching band and more. Presented by Bilston and Willenhall Lions Club.
JULY 15: Wordsley Festival takes place at King George V Park, from 11am to 6pm. Highlights set to include stalls, crafts and food. Free admission.
JULY 15 & 16: Wolverhampton Fiesta will take place at West Park this weekend, from midday each day. There will be a giant funfair, tribute acts, a performance from The Voice star Jason Jones on each day, fire breathers, stunt acts, monster truck displays, licensed bars, stalls and more. Entry costs £3 for adults and £2 for children.
JULY 15: Black Country Day Celebration at The Old Post Office in Wendnesbury, from 12.30pm till late. Entry is free and entertainment will include live performances from former Ocean Colour Scene member Andy Bennett, as well as sets from Jonny Cole, Wounded Spirit, Thunder Chunky, Freeway, Smoking Eskimo and more. A licensed bar will be open at the event till late. Food will also be on offer.
