#MadeInSandwell Monday is the perfect time to encourage Sandwell residents and groups to get involved in a new festival showcasing the best of the borough in the run up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Shine a Light Festival has a full, inclusive programme of cultural events and activities taking place over six weekends – one in each of Sandwell’s six towns – from April to August 2022. 

The events will shine a light on Sandwell’s rich, diverse culture and showcase the best of arts, sports and creativity from all ages, backgrounds and parts of the community. Sandwell residents will play an important part in the festival by performing, providing activities and crafts, displaying art, and promoting local products or services.

The six towns Shine a Light Festival weekend events will take place at town centres, heritage sites, and public spaces from 10am-4pm each day. There will also be ticketed events, with fairs, live performances, food and drink, and entertainment for children and adults in each town. These will run from 4pm-9pm each day.

The festival will culminate with a programme of events and activities at Sandwell Valley from Monday 25 July to Monday 8 August, including:

• Shine a Light Festival Sandwell Valley opening evening (Saturday 30 July, 4pm-9pm) – the best of festival performances, live on stage, as well as arts, culture and activities in the mini-stage areas and open spaces.
• Commonwealth-themed food festival and market (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August) – a celebration of food from across the Commonwealth, #MadeInSandwell and sold by Sandwell businesses, community groups and residents.
• Activities, performances and installations – throughout the two-week festival there will be activities for the whole community to get involved in, from art installations to performances and events across Sandwell Valley.

Other activities and events throughout the Shine a Light Festival will engage local community groups and residents.

If you or your Sandwell organisation – including charities, schools, colleges, youth and community groups – would like to get involved in the festival, you can do so in a number of ways, including:

• delivering a performance, art, craft or sport activity at one of the festival events
• selling/ promoting local products and services at one of the festival events
• displaying art at one of the festival event locations, in public buildings or open spaces.

Councillor Danny Millard, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “Sandwell is an area rich with heritage and culture, and the unique legacy of our historic town centres. The Shine a Light Festival is a great opportunity to showcase the borough’s diversity and the best of our arts, sports and creativity, and I encourage residents and groups to take part in the festival.”

The full programme of activities and performances – which includes free, and value for money ticketed options – will be launched at the end of this month.

To take part in a Shine a Light Festival activity, display or performance please complete the short Participate Application at www.discoversandwell.co.uk.

#MadeInSandwell Monday is a celebration of the talent and diversity within our borough. If you’re interested in being considered for a #MadeInSandwell Monday profile and having information about your organisation shared on Think Sandwell and through Twitter, read this.