Bumper 25,000 crowd at Sandwell Show

The two-day show at Sandwell Valley Country Park has long been popular with families in the area, and organisers have said this year's show had an extra 5,000 people through the doors yesterday alone.

It equates to a 25 per cent increase compared to last year's event.

Monday is normally the more popular day and Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Derek Rowley, who officially welcomed the people of the borough at the show yesterday, said up to 60,000 people could attend on the Bank Holiday.

Glorious sunshine yesterday morning helped set the scene for a bumper crowd at the show, which featured a wide range of acts, shows and rides for families to enjoy.

Organiser Tony Potter said he was pleased with the turn-out.

He said: "We've had about 25,000 people down today, which is a lot more than last year.

"Monday is always the busiest day for us so hopefully that will also be busy, but we've had a lot of people come down so far.

"We always try to make the show inclusive for everyone so there is something for the kids to do but also something for the parents to get involved with.

"The sunshine has helped as well, it has been glorious all day."

As well as the slides, rollercoasters and rides, there was also a host of free activities and sights for the whole family to see.

In the main arena, audiences were wowed with a dog display team, freestyle motorcyclists and falconry displays.

Mr Potter added: "I think it is the variety that people enjoy about the show, there are lots of interesting things for people to look at.

"What we aim to do is give people in the community a nice day out without having to cost them too much."

Councillor Rowley said the show brings the curtain down on the events the council put on over the summer.

He said: "It changes every year but there always seems to be a lot of people here.

"With such a large area it is hard to say how many people attended but I would not be at all surprised if there were 25,000 people here. Monday is normally a lot busier."

The usually green, peaceful Sandwell Valley Country Park was awash with colour and noise as hundreds of stalls set up camp for the Bank Holiday weekend event.

Children could bounce around on inflatables, get their thrills on rides and watch displays in the arena, while there were stalls, raffles and interesting displays for adults to get their teeth into.

Having fun on the bumper cars in the funfair area of the show were Tenecia and Lissy Smith from West Bromwich.

Tenecia, 15, had performed with her dance group Epic Dance Academy earlier in the day before enjoying the funfair with her family.

Tenecia said: "We don't come every year but we do come most years and it's really good day out.

"I dance with Epic Dance Academy and we have performed today so we came to do that, but it's always a good laugh to come here and go on the rides."

Alongside them on the bumper cars was cousin Desianae Franklin-Johnson, eight, also from West Bromwich, and her aunt Trish Bermingham(CORR), who had travelled from Cheltenham for the show.

She said: "I think it is a really good show. I drive up to see the kids and it's a good day out.

"We have a great time going to the parks, which are beautiful around here, and it's a nice day out for us all.

"It's nice to see the girls dance in front of a crowd."

Getting into the colourful spirit of the day were Jorja and Lexi Dubczyk(CORR) from Tipton, who had their faces painted at a stall.

Their father, Craig, said: "We've had a great time walking around and looking at everything. We've probably been walked around for about an hour-and-a-half before we'd even got the see the rides.

"It seems a little bit smaller than last year but busier.

"We've still had a good time, and the girls love it. It's nice to be able to bring the kids for a day out."

Susan Dixon visited the show with her children Emily, 10, and Sam, 12, who are from Oldbury.

She said: "We have come the last two years now because Emily has performed with Illusion Dance Group, but we've also had a look around.

"They have been playing on the slides for a while and they also really enjoyed seeing the animals as well.

"It seems bigger this year and there is also lots of free things for people to do and see which is great."

Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member highways and environment, said: "The Sandwell Show falls under my portfolio but it is always good to come down.

"It has been really busy and people seem to be enjoying themselves because there are lots of things to see and do.

"We have been holding the Sandwell Show for many years and I think the country pursuits side of things really interests people.

"We are going through hard times at the moment so this is something we can give to the people of Sandwell to show what we have to offer in the borough."