Coseley preparing to host Black Country Festival finale
Traders, community leaders and residents are gearing up for the final instalment of the month-long Black Country Festival.
Coseley will host a day of fun-filled activities on Sunday (30) that will wrap up the festival which has taken place across July.
The Coseley Black Country Day will be held on Castle Street, in Roseville, from 1pm.
An array of entertainment has been lined up, including a fire-walker, the West Midlands Fire Service brass band, a funfair and a Punch and Judy show.
Coseley East ward councillor Melvin Mottram said: "It is the last event in the calendar which I think is nice.
"Anybody who has missed events in the festival have got a chance to come here. We are hoping the event will be really good.
"I am hoping in excess of 2,000 people will come along."
A raffle will be held as part of the event, where 27 prizes will be up for grabs. They will include a Black Country flag, designed by one of the town's businesses.
The West Midlands Fire Service brass band will perform three 25-minute shows.
Meanwhile Black Country Radio will be holding a live show, a Punch and Judy show will take place, a fire-walker will perform in the Royal Pub, and there will be stalls and a bouncy castle.
The fun day will mark the end of the Black Country festival, which was started in 2014.
Councillor Mottram said: "The Black Country Festival is becoming more popular. It is fantastic.
"In 2012 when I was mayor, that was when we got together and asked all the school students to design a flag and we chose a winner."
The Black Country festival has grown each year, since its inception.
It was given a boost this month when a hub dedicated to promoting the region's tourism opened up at Merry Hill shopping centre.
The store was officially unveiled on July 5, which saw dignitaries from across the Dudley borough attend, including Dudley South MP Mike Wood and deputy Dudley Mayor councillor Alan Taylor.
The unit, near the bus station entrance to the centre, was set up by the Black Country Arts Council.
It contains an information stand with leaflets alongside Black Country-themed merchandise.
Speaking after the launch of the hub, Steve Edwards, organiser of the Black Country Festival, said: "The hub was packed at the launch, up to 21million people visit Merry Hill centre every year, so with us being here for six months, three and a half million people will see us."
