WATCH: Bostin' celebrations planned for Black Country Festival 2019
Ready for a good old fashioned Black Country knees-up? It's going to be bostin'!
The Black Country Festival is under way bringing together dozens of events throughout July.
From family fun days to live music, stand-up shows to community carnivals - there are many great ways to celebrate Black Country Day, which is on July 14.
Launching the festival last weekend was the Gornal family fun day and a beer festival at Dudley Canal Trust, both held on Saturday and the Black Country Road Run held in Halesowen on Sunday.
And ExpressandStar.com spoke to Black Country
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More events are being planned than ever before for the festival, now in its sixth year.
Other highlights of the festival include Netherton Park Fun Day, Halesowen Carnival, The Women Chainmakers' Festival, Dudley's Classic Car Show, Bush Fest comedy weekend at The Holly Bush Pub in Cradley Heath.
The celebrations culminate on July 28 with the Coseley Black Country Festival event at Castle Street, Roseville.
The Black Country Festival, created in 2014, is a series of independently organised events throughout July encompassing the official Black Country Day.
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Crowds are expected to turn out to mark the day itself with a day of live music at Himley Park.
Black Country Musicom Festival will include tribute acts, local bands, comedians, street dancing, a children's area and fun fair.
Headlining the outdoor music and comedy festival, in association with Jewson, will be Oasish, a successful Oasis tribute band who have also performed at Wembley Stadium.
They will be joined by the likes of The Little Mix Show, WANNABE -The Spice Girls Show, Queen Alive and Born in the 80s tribute band.
The day will also include a Teenage zone with a DJ set, gaming tournament, virtual reality, glitter artists, photo booth and chill out area, as well as sporting activities and traditional black country crafts including canal art, glass blowing and lace making.
Dudley councillor Pete Lowe, who helps support Black Country Festival events, said: “This is hugely exciting – it’s the biggest event we have ever put on for Black Country Day and it promises to be an absolutely bostin’ day out for all the family.
“There really will be something for everyone, and we will use the money generated from ticket sales to support other free events taking place across the borough to celebrate the Black Country Festival.
“I would urge people to snap up tickets for what will be a brilliant event, celebrating who we are and where we’re from.”
Each event is designed to bring the Black Country communities and people together using the celebration of our shared Black Country culture and heritage.
The date of Black Country is linked to the anniversary of the invention of the world's first steam engine, the Newcomen Engine, built in 1712.
The day was established after the Department of Communities and Local Government marked the anniversary with a specially designed banner.
The banner has now become the Black Country Flag. It was designed by school girl Gracie Sheppard, who attended Redhill Primary School, in Stourbridge.
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Organisers say the main goal of Black Country Day is: "To create a sense of community in the Black Country neighbourhoods where people live and work.
"We hope that an increased sense of community will lead to more personal involvement and more cultural, educational and social activities.
"This in turn, will create a better sense of community and a better place for us all to live. That, plus it's fun!"
