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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tamlyn Jones

Tourism boost as Commonwealth Games 2022 plans cultural and sporting festival sites

The visitor economy in the West Midlands is set to be boosted by a host of festival sites springing up across the region as part of this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Musical performances, live sport on big screens and other cultural events will be hosted at the seven separate neighbourhood sites in Birmingham and two hubs in the city centre.

Victoria Square and Smithfield will bring people together for the duration of the games, which start on July 28, hosting live music in partnership with organisations such as Amplify Sounds, B:Music and VNS Productions as well as DJs, live performances and dance.

There will also be a daily schedule of activities such as sunrise stretch sessions, a disco with 2022 mascot Perry and watch parties for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as a special celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of Jamaican independence.

Victoria Square will also be transformed by a new temporary artistic commission by Birmingham-based designer Anjuli McKenna called Connections.

Collaborating with the National Trust, Smithfield will also feature 70 young trees, benches and hammocks so people can relax.

Smithfield is also hosting the beach volleyball, basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3 tournaments for the Commonwealth Games while Victoria Square is the location for the finish of the marathon.

The seven smaller neighbourhood sites in Birmingham are in Castle Vale, Edgbaston, Handsworth, Selly Oak, Sparkhill, Ward End and Yardley while other festival sites are being hosted in Coventry, Dudley, Leamington Spa, Sandwell, Solihull, Tamworth, Telford, Warwick and Wolverhampton.

A separate festival site will be hosted in London as the track cycling events are being held at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the same venue which hosted them at the 2012 Olympics.

Tim Hodgson, senior producer for Birmingham 2022 Festival and Festival Sites, said: "The Birmingham 2022 Festival Sites are where sport and culture will combine to provide a fantastic free opportunity for local residents and visitors alike to embrace the Commonwealth Games and celebrate together.

"A giant screen with live coverage will ensure that people can keep up to date with the sporting action but they will also be entertained throughout the day with a vibrant cultural programme, showcasing established and emerging local talent.

"We are so excited to be profiling the incredible creativity of Birmingham and the West Midlands, creating two festival sites for everyone to enjoy, with more details to be announced soon."

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