THE 100 day countdown to Black Country Day – the highlight of the annual festival which celebrates pride across the region – has begun.

Running from June 30 to July 29, the Black Country Festival, which is now in its fifth year, promises 2018 to be the biggest and best yet, with dozens of events taking place across the region.

Fun days, carnivals, festivals, golf tournaments, transport shows and many more activities are lined up during the month.

Black Country Day itself (July 14) falls on a Saturday this year and to mark the occasion a large family fun day will be held in Dudley town centre.

The event, from 10am until 5pm, will see live entertainment on Stone Street Square, a radio roadshow in the market place and market stalls and a display of vintage cars and motorcycles along Stone Street Square.

Many other fun events will be held throughout the month including the Gornal Fun Day on June 30, the Black Country Road Run in Halesowen on July 1, Halesowen Carnival on July 7 and Stourbridge Carnival – which will feature a dedicated Black Coutry Festival Street – on July 8.

Councillor Dave Tyler, The Mayor of Dudley, said: “With 100 days to go and a fantastic line up of events already confirmed, this year’s Black Country Festival won’t disappoint.

“We want to see people flying their Black Country flag with pride and support the many events taking place to celebrate the region we call home.”

Following the success of last year’s event, the Brier Fair will also return for a second year on July 21 in Brierley Hill.

Dave Brownhill, chairman of the Black Country Festival, said: “Now in its fifth year, the festival owes many of its successes to the local groups, organisations and volunteers who help make it happen and to the people of the Black Country who turn out each year without fail to support the events.

“Although we’ve already got some cracking events taking place, there’s still time to get involved and add events to the festival line up.

“I’d urge anyone with a great idea for an event, whether it’s big and small, to get in touch, we’d love to hear all about them.”

For more information about festival events go to www.black-country-festival.co.uk.

The festival is organised by a committee of volunteers and is supported by Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils.