Festivals set to bring drones, lanterns and Caribbean food to the area

Drone shows and festivals featuring food, music and water displays are set to take place in the West Midlands this May.

The Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr will host two nights of drone displays and music while Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich will hold a Thailand-inspired water lantern festival.

Organisers of the latter said they hoped to bring a "powerful" event for people across the region to enjoy.

In Wolverhampton, on top of the annual, vibrant Vaisakhi celebrations on Sunday at the city's West Park, the same venue is set to host a Caribbean-themed festival later in the month.

While drone art shows are not new in or around Birmingham, those behind the DroneArt Show, due to take place on 15 to16 May, said their ticketed event would blend music and "aerial artistry".

On the first night, thousands of candles will surround a string quartet for the Music That Lights Up the Night event, with the musicians playing well-known classical pieces such as Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

At the same time, hundreds of drones with lights would be flown and "dance in perfect synchronization overhead" for more than an hour, organisers said.

On the following night, 16 May, the show would be themed as Space Chase, with the drones taking spectators "into a journey through the cosmos".

Separately, but organised by the same firm, Fever on 30 May will see hundreds of water lanterns floated at Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, along with live music and food.

Tickets for the event would include a kit so people can take part themselves, writing a personal message and setting it afloat with the eco-friendly lanterns, event director Seth Hewett said.

"We've seen how powerful it can be to create space for reflection, and we're excited to bring that experience back to Birmingham in such a beautiful setting," he added.

Sunday will see West Park in Wolverhampton play host to the annual Vaisakhi celebrations from midday to 17:00 BST.

Thousands of people are expected, with the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in the city saying there will be a fun fair, stalls and Asian musicians and singers performing live.

A couple of weeks later, on 16 May, the park will host Taste of the Caribbean: Food & Drink Festival.

The outdoor event will bring the "flavours and rhythms of the Caribbean islands right to your neighborhood", organisers said.

Workshops will demonstrate cuisine from the region alongside funfair rides and live music.

On the same day, those who want more music in the form of tribute bands and artists are being invited to the Old Wulfrunians FC ground, for the Penn Wolverhampton Music Festival.

Those behind it said they had a "massive" line-up of tribute acts, including those playing the hits of Abba, Coldplay, Queen, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift, from 12:00 to 22:00 BST.

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