Sandwell Show scrapped after 36 years
The annual Sandwell Show, which has been running for 36 years, has been scrapped this year, council bosses have announced.
Falling visitor numbers due to bad weather has been partly blamed for shelving the free event, which attracted more than 100,000 people at its height.
Sandwell Council said the two-day show at Sandwell Valley over the August bank holiday weekend had become 'outdated'.
Bosses are planning to replace it with a month-long summer festival at the beauty spot in August, which they believe will appeal to more people.
The Sandwell Show is the second major event in the area to be axed this year.
Last month it was revealed that Wolverhampton's city show had been scrapped. The city council said it will instead be holding a 10-day programme of events across the city during the summer.
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for highways and the environment, Councillor Maria Crompton said it was now looking for a firm to help stage the replacement event in August.
"We've been plagued by bad weather over the August bank holiday weekend for the past three years which has had an impact on the crowds.
"While we've had many great Sandwell Shows over the years it has become a bit outdated and needs a refresh.
"As a result we've decided to review the show and we are now looking for an outdoor events partner to join us putting on a summer festival of fun during the month of August which we hope will appeal to more people and provide greater variety for visitors," she added.
Smethwick councillor Richard Marshall said: "It's been the same for at least 20 years with nothing new added to it over the years. It's become tired and outdated. We want to offer something new and get more people down to Sandwell Valley which is a great amenity to have."
Lee Judge, of West Bromwich, who ran the popular Judgestock mini-music festival as part of the show in 2013, said: "It's a shame it's ending after so long – there's nothing else like it for people in Sandwell."
Last year thousands of people braved the damp weather to attend the event .
Firms interested in getting involved in the new festival need to apply by June 3 on 0121 569 3070.
