Castle Summer Fest - Tamworth confirmed as Commonwealth Games ‘Festival Site’

Tamworth Castle Grounds10.06.22

Live footage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be shown on a large screen in Tamworth Castle Grounds as part of a three-week summer festival of sports, entertainment and community events, it has been confirmed.

Tamworth is one of a select number of locations around the Midlands to be chosen as a Festival Site for the Commonwealth Games, where people can enjoy the competition in picturesque surroundings with their family and friends.

A selection of sporting events, and the opening and closing ceremonies, will be broadcast throughout the 10-day competition between July 28 and August 8.

To extend the celebrations even further, Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team are working on a bumper programme of fun and games, sports and entertainment which will take place for a three-week period from July 22 to August 13, including the 10 days of Commonwealth Games.

The aim is that there will be something taking place every single day in the grounds during that three-week period for families to enjoy. Coverage of the Games and many of the daytime activities will be free of charge, supported by a programme of ticketed events which it is hoped will attract audiences from a large area.

Castle Summer Fest

The programme, called ‘Castle Summer Fest’ will include three large concerts by well-known acts, smaller live music shows, screenings, broadcasts, a whole host of sports events and demonstrations, the UK’s largest inflatable obstacle course, a 5K fun run, an attempt to break the world piggyback record and much more.

In addition to the Games coverage, the highlight of Castle Summer Fest will be three large-scale open-air summer concerts. The first will be on Saturday, July 23, with The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing ‘Music from the Movies’, alongside special guests Russell Watson and The Overtones.

Singer, songwriter and musician Jack Savoretti will take to the stage on Friday, August 12, supported by Mel C, also known as ‘Sporty Spice’ of Spice Girls fame.

Summer Fest will close on Saturday, August 13, with a huge party in the park celebration of the 1980s featuring the real deal singing sensations from one of the best musical eras.

Here and Now, the Very Best of the 80s will see Belinda Carlisle, Howard Jones, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Boney M, The Fizz, Toyah and Katrina of The Waves all performing on the Tamworth stage, after the crowds have been suitably warmed up by well-known Greatest Hits DJ Pat Sharp – also fondly remembered for hosting the Fun House TV show.

All event information and links to ticket sales are available via the Tamworth Arts and Events website. This will be regularly updated as additional events are confirmed.

The Festival Site announcement follows news revealed last month that Tamworth is also to host a leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay, with the Queen’s Baton to tour through the town on Wednesday, July 20, ending in the Castle Grounds where there will be a free evening of live music and entertainment.

‘Tamworth is the place to be this summer’

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be confirmed as an official Festival Site for the Commonwealth Games; it’s fantastic news for the town. It was a very rigorous process we had to go through, but we hope this will really help boost the local economy, putting the town on the map with a wide audience and helping to bring visitors to the area.

“We’re going all out with the celebrations this year and extending our summer Arts & Events programme to make it even bigger than usual. After the last couple of years with the pandemic it seemed fitting to have a huge summer festival with something for everyone. Having the Commonwealth Games coverage as part of that will make it a really memorable few weeks in Tamworth, where everyone can come together, enjoy sport and just generally have fun.

“The programme offers a real mix of events, including the well-known artists performing in the large concerts, the sports and community events. We’re hoping to include as many local groups as possible.

“We’ll be encouraging people to come and try new sports and learn more about what clubs and activities are available in the town. It’s also a good opportunity for town centre business to take full advantage of the additional crowds by coming up with events and promotions that will link into the Summer Fest programme and Commonwealth Games sporting theme.

“Tamworth is definitely the place to be for a summer of fun this year.”

Any sports clubs or organisations interested in taking part can contact Karen Moss for more information at Karen-Moss@tamworth.gov.uk.

About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games   

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage.      

The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.      

Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022. 

Find out more at www.birmingham2022.com.