West Midlands firework parties set to go off with a bang

Thousands of people are expected to turn out for events which are being staged everywhere from school playing fields to the grounds of stately homes.

One of the biggest events planned is at Himley Hall and Park where organisers have spent £33,000 on the Blaze of Glory display honouring the year's events, including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games.

Music will include tracks from Mick Jagger and David Bowie, Gary Barlow, Coldplay, The Verve, Shirley Bassey and Kanye West and around 20,000 people are expected to attend.

• Scroll down for a list of major firework and bonfire events in the West Midlands

In Wolverhampton, around £17,500 has been spent on events at West Park and Hickman Park which are expected to be attended by around 20,000 people.

Komodo Fireworks, which won this year's British Musical Fireworks Championships in Southport, will be putting on displays at both venues.

Wolverhampton City Council's cabinet member for leisure and communities Councillor Elias Mattu said: "It's not hard to see why Komodo won the British Musical Fireworks Championships and we're looking forward to two fantastic shows right here in Wolverhampton this weekend.

"We are expecting big crowds at both Hickman Park and West Park so we'd advise people to get there early to claim their spot."

At the Black Country Living Museum on Saturday visitors can step back in time to enjoy some traditional entertainment including hot roast chestnuts, toffee apples, fire juggling, Punch & Judy shows and musical entertainers.

In Walsall a bonfire and fireworks display will be held in Brownhills' Holland Park on Saturday, with another planned for Willenhall Memorial Park, in Pinson Road, on November 10. Organisers of the council-run events have made repeated pleas for hundreds of pallets to help the events go with a bang.

Both bonfires will be lit at 7pm with the fireworks show at 8pm.

Events in Staffordshire include displays that have been organised at the Shugborough hall in Stafford on Saturday featuring a funfair, bonfire and fireworks display.

A display has also been organised at Weston Park in Weston-Under-Lizard on Sunday, which will have a bonfire and two firework displays. Gates for both Wolverhampton shows open at 5.30pm with a fireworks display especially for children beginning at 7pm. The bonfires will be lit at 7.30pm by the mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Christine Mills, with main fireworks displays beginning at 8.30pm. There are also funfairs at both venues and tickets are £4 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Across the region bonfire displays taking place include:

BROWNHILLS: Holland Park, bonfire and fireworks on Saturday, bonfire lit at 7pm and fireworks at 8pm. Admission is £3 for adults, £1 for children, under fives free.

CANNOCK: Longford Primary School, bonfire and fireworks on Monday from 6.30pm, free admission.

DUDLEY: Black Country Living Museum, traditional bonfire and entertainment is held on Saturday, doors open at 6.30pm. Admission is £14.95 for adults, £11.95 for seniors and £7.95 for children.

HEDNESFORD: Hednesford Hills Raceway, meeting and firework spectacular on Sunday. The day will start at 10am, with three classes of racing beginning at 2pm followed by the firework display. Tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children.

HIMLEY: Himley Hall and Park on Saturday, fireworks and bonfire, gates open at 4.30pm, £8 for adults, £4 for juniors and senior citizens while under 5s are free.

RUSHALL: Rushall Olympic Football Club, Dales Lane, bonfire including fireworks and entertainment on Sunday, doors open at 5pm. £3 for adults, £1 for under 16s and free for under 12s.

STAFFORDSHIRE: Alton Towers The-me Park, ultimate fireworks event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, rides open until 9pm. From £45 for adults and £36 children.

STAFFORD: Shugborough Estate, charity bonfire, funfair and fireworks display on Saturday from 4.30pm, admission £6 for adults, £2 for children and £15 per family.

Stafford Hockey Club, Riverway, Traditional firework display plus BBQ on Sunday, from 6pm, £5 for adults. Free for children.

SMETHWICK: Victoria Park, free bonfire and fireworks display on Thursday, November 8, gates open at 5.30pm.

WEST BROMWICH: Dartmouth Park, bonfire and fireworks display on Saturday, gates open at 5.30pm. Admission is £6 for adults and £3 for children/over 60s.

WILLENHALL: Willenhall Memorial Park, bonfire and fireworks on Saturday, November 10. Admission is £3 for adults, £1 for children and under fives free.

WEDNESBURY: Brunswick Park, bonfire on November 9 from 5pm.

By Helen Brown