IN PICTURES: Thousands celebrate Black Country Festival

In Dudley, the crowds were baying for blood but it was all in good spirit as a wrestling bout kicked off the flagship event of the Black Country Festival.

Swathes of visitors soaked up the sun, savoured ice creams and ales, and lapped up the entertainment. The scene was Stone Street Square, Dudley, on Saturday where musicians, glass-blowers, dancers, stall-holders and Black Country Mon dressed as a caped superhero, put people in the carnival mood.

Easily the most biggest attraction was Steve Pitts' stall selling Black Country-themed mugs, T-shirts, car stickers and other paraphernalia. The Cradley Heath trader said: "This festival is a dream come true. It's bringing people together and making bonds.

"I didn't associate with my roots when I was a teenager and I don't want that to happen to the next generation, and I really think the festival is working in that respect."

Festival organiser Steve Edwards said the Black Country flag, designed by Stourbridge schoolgirl Gracie Sheppard, had given them a brand to sell.

"Since then it's really started to take off, and it means a lot that the council has given us cross-party backing."

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, wearing a festival T-shirt, was an early visitor. He said: "It's a great way to celebrate our history.

"We've had a year to establish the idea of a festival and it's proved a rip-roaring success. The flag has gone global."

Opposition Conservative group leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, was equally enthusiastic. "There's so much going on today all over the Black Country, we're spoilt for choice as to where to go. The festival is a tremendous platform for the area."

Mother-of-two Joanne Perry had brought daughters Goldie, aged six, and Amber, four, into town to join the activities.

The 39-year-old support worker from The Priory, Dudley, said: "I want the kids to see a bit of where they come from. We've come in on the bus for a change, which was a treat for them, and had a wander round. They've taken part in an art workshop, we've really enjoyed ourselves."

Tipton pensioner Ethel Healey, who will be 79 tomorrow, is thrilled to celebrate her birthday on such a locally important date. "I'm Black Country and proud of it," she said.

"My dad worked down the mines round here and he was typical of the hard-working sort of men that the area produced."

Yvonne Robinson, 69, and her friend Sheila Talbot, 70, of Oakham, Dudley, are big supporters of the event. Yvonne said: "We represent Dudley. I can trace my family back to the 1500s in this area. It's a great place to live, the people here stick together."

Butcher Peter Thorpe, who has worked at John Green Butchers in the Fountain Arcade for 25 years, said business in the town centre had started to pick up over the last couple of years.

Born in Tipton, he said: "You look at any war documentary and you'll see bridges and water tanks that were built in Babcocks in Tipton. It makes you very proud to be Black Country."

Musician Mitchell Jinks(CORR), 22, performed to shoppers in front of the Duncan Edwards statue in Market Place.

The former Ellowes Hall student, who is an estate agent by day, said: "I work in Harborne so it's taken the twang out of my accent but I would always defend the Black Country. Other parts of the country take the mickey out of us unjustly. It's good we can all pull together at an event like this."

Robert Merlyn-Farwell, who was giving glass-making demonstrations in the square, brought his replica of the Stourbridge Lion railway engine, the first to run on tracks in America.

His wife Margaret said: "We were at the Stourbridge Carnival last week and it's fair to say, being part of the Black Country Festival has completely revived it. It was really good."

Hundreds gathered in Cradley Heath to mark the strike by the women chainmakers on Sunday.

In 1910 there were 3,500 chain makers working in small shops in the Cradley and Cradley Heath district. Two thirds of them were women. Tired of working day and night for starvation wages, the women chainmakers downed their hammers and stood up for their right to earn a living wage.

The TUC and Sandwell Council-led event saw market stalls, fairground rides, music, dance and speeches.

There was also large crowds in Wall Heath on Saturday. The village's summer fair looked at how villagers interacted with Black Country life.

More than 1,000 people flocked to the Gornal Fun Day at the recreation ground off Vale Street.

There was a collection classic cars, three large bouncy castles and a series of stalls.

One of the most popular attractions was the Punch and Judy show run by Kris Krendo from Wednesfield.

He said: "It has been a fantastic day with some great audiences.

"There has been a lovely atmosphere and the weather has been good.

"It is a lovely celebration to have everyone come out."

The Gornal Fun Day has run for more than 20 years.

Tracey Bate, one of the organisers, said: "The atmosphere has been amazing and we are really pleased with the turnout.

"We have had more than 1,000 people come which is fantastic. Everyone is has had a brilliant time."

Tipton Town also took on West Bromwich Albion All Stars to mark the festival. Town won the match 2-0.

Legendary players included Bob Taylor, Paul Devlin, Richard Sneekes, and Darren Bradley.

Tipton Town Club secretary Ann Wheale said: "It was brilliant. It was a fantastic match played in really good spirits.

And there was a special songs of praise event at the chapel at the Black Country Living Museum to celebrate churches and the role they played in the Black Country.

Thousands of people visited Wolverhampton City Show as it made a triumphant return at a new venue.

Friends, families and music lovers flocked to Dunstall Park racecourse for the weekend's two-day event, which was relocated for the first time in its 43-year history after a long-standing association with West Park.

Sights on offer included Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcross Team performing their astounding aerial tricks, Big Pete and the Grim Reaper's crowd-pleasing Monster Truck's show and the return of renowned country music festival, Wolvestock.

The incorporation of Wolvestock, which was given the axe last year, proved a major draw for punters, with caravan camping tickets selling out and crowds of people line dancing throughout the weekend.