Watch Games opening ceremony at castle grounds
People are invited to bring their families, friends and picnics to Tamworth Castle Grounds this Thursday (July 28), to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games as part of another fantastic evening of free entertainment.
Tamworth has been chosen as a festival Host Site for the Birmingham 2022 Games and will be showing a selection of the sporting action from the massive screen throughout the 10 days of the competition, all free of charge.
It kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, when people are invited to join the buzz and soak up the atmosphere by watching the Games in the park, alongside a variety of live music performances from the stage.
This includes the UK 's number one jive and swing band, the Jive Aces, well-known local singer and entertainer Glen Chevannes, Together Community Gospel Choir and local young singer Ellicia Smith.
The entertainment programme starts just before 6pm with two hours of live music performances, before the screens are given over to the much-anticipated Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, live from Birmingham, from 8pm.
- 5.30pm - Pre-show music
- 5.55pm - Event kick-off with MC Glen Chevannes
- 6pm - Together Community Gospel Choir
- 6.35pm - Ellicia Smith
- 6.50pm - Glen Chevannes music set
- 7.25pm - The Jive Aces
- 8pm - Opening Ceremony starts
- 11pm - Opening Ceremony due to end and event closes
Coverage of the sporting action will then be shown daily in the Castle Grounds until the Closing Ceremony on Monday, August 8, which will be broadcast alongside live music from local performers Tamworth Voices Community Choir, Ali Gilbert and The Dudes.
There 's plenty more taking place in the Castle Grounds as part of a three-week festival of fun, including 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, concerts from world-renowned performers, screenings, broadcasts and much more.
The festival started with the visit of the Queen 's Baton Relay on July 20th and free Queen tribute show by Magic Queen and continued over the weekend with a series of fantastic events, enjoyed by thousands of people. These included Bingo Lingo, a huge performance by the 70-piece Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra with Russell Watson and The Overtones, and outdoor screenings of Encanto and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
It continues with daily activities, finishing with a double header of concerts with Jack Savoretti and Melanie C on Friday, August 12 and Here and Now, the Very Best of the 80s on Saturday, August 13, bringing a whole host of genuine music legends to the stage, live and in person.
A full timetable for Castle Summer Fest can be viewed and downloaded at www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk/castle-summer-fest, where ticket and event information can also be found.
Cllr Robert Pritchard, deputy leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We 're absolutely delighted to be able to show all the live sporting action on our fantastic large screen in the Castle Grounds and can 't wait for the competition to start.
“The screen has already been in use for the various events that have taken place so far and the picture quality is amazing, so it really will be a fantastic experience for people to come and experience the buzz of the Games in the beautiful Castle Grounds.
“We 've had lots of positive feedback about our festival site so far, especially how clean and welcoming it is. There 's catering on site and plenty of portaloos, and people are also invited to bring their own food and drink, in accordance with the site guidelines which can be found on the individual event pages via the Tamworth Arts & Events website.
“We hope to see lots of people there on Thursday and over the next couple of weeks. ”
Pictured: Queen's Baton Relay stage