Express & Star

Black Country Day 2018 - IN PICTURES and VIDEO

It was an absolutely bostin' Black Country Day as festivals, carnivals and celebrations of all types kicked off across the region.

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Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, at Dudley Fun Day

Saturday saw locals old and young celebrate everything that makes the Black Country such an excellent place to live and work.

Festivities have been running since the start of the month, but with July 14 officially being Black Country Day, a whole host of events had been organised for the occasion.

Dudley Black Country Day events - IN PICTURES:

The Mole family at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
The coffin race in Dudley
The coffin race in Dudley
Lily Rolinson at Dudley Fun Day
Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, at Dudley Fun Day
Sophie Webster enjoying Dudley Fun Day
Louisa and Bethany Perkins
Live music at Dudley Fun Day
Wrestler Charles Kelsey at Dudley Fun Day

A few of the highlights included the Black Country Festival in Dudley, the OH Festival at Old Hill, Donchez Dacres performing at Wordsley Carnival and the Wolverhampton Fiesta.

The Black Country Festival brought Dudley town centre to life with live music, food stalls, children's entertainment, and the famous coffin race.

WATCH: Dudley coffin race

Chairman Dave Brownhill said it had been a brilliant occasion: "This is the sixth Black Country Day and the fifth Black Country Festival. The beauty of this year is that the festival has spread wider across the Black Country.

"There are more events than ever before and I'm absolutely delighted to see that.

"It's great to see how the community has really embraced the Black Country."

Wolverhampton Fiesta - IN PICTURES:

Jahmal Knight and dad Marlon Knight at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
A Beyonce tribute at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Jade Hayes, Uncle Brian and Ellise Grizzle at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Uncle Brian at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Jack Dicens and dad Lee Dickens on the dodgems at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Twin sisters Sophie and Lucy Hart at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
Harvey Taylor at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park
The Mole family at Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park

Other events on the day included Wolverhampton Fiesta in West Park, where locals enjoyed monster truck displays, fairground rides, and live bands.

Festivities also ran through the day in Wednesbury, with brass band performances and talks from local poets and book authors, while the OH Festival at Old Hill saw hundreds of people enjoy singing and dancing in the summer weather.

Britain's Got Talent star Donchez Dacres even made an appearance at both Black Country Festival and Wordsley Carnival, delighting fans with a performance of his hit tune Wiggle Wine.

He said: "It's an honour to be here, on Black Country Day. For the local people to embrace me in this way is just a fantastic feeling."

OH Festival - IN PICTURES:

OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester
OH Festival parade in Old Hill. Photo: Darren Lester