User:SimmerD/sandbox

Simmer Down Festival is an annual community-led event that takes place in Birmingham, UK. The festival showcases a diverse range of local and international talent, with a focus on reggae, ska, dub, and world music. The festival's mission is to promote cultural diversity, unity, and social cohesion in the community.

'Celebrating Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity and the city’s unique reggae legacy, the festival offers fun for all the family including an impressive line-up of international, national and local artists; as well as arts workshops, participation activities, a children and young people’s meadow area, craft stalls, a belly-busting range of food stalls, and a licensed bar area'.

History
Founded in 2011, the festival has grown to become one of the largest free reggae festivals in the UK, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The festival features multiple stages with live music, dance performances, and arts and crafts stalls.The first edition of the festival was a huge success, attracting over 10,000 visitors and featuring a line-up of some of the best emerging artists from the local area.

Simmer Down Festival has also developed a reputation for its commitment to promoting emerging talent, and supporting local artists and musicians. The festival's organisers have worked closely with local community groups and charities to provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills and showcase their talents.

Over the years, the festival has featured performances by many renowned artists, including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Steel Pulse, Macka B, Tippa Irie, and many others. The festival has also attracted widespread media coverage and has been recognised for its contribution to promoting cultural diversity and community cohesion in Birmingham. The festival has also become an important cultural event for the local community, with many people looking forward to it each year as a highlight of the summer.

Dates & Venues

 * July 17, 2011 - Handsworth Park
 * July 15, 2012 - Handsworth Park
 * July 21, 2013 - Handsworth Park
 * July 20, 2014 - Handsworth Park
 * July 19, 2015 - Handsworth Park
 * July 23, 2017 - Handsworth Park
 * August 12, 2018 - Handsworth Park
 * July 21, 2019 - Handsworth Park
 * July 18 & 19, 2020 (virtual event due to COVID-19)
 * August 22, 2021 - Handsworth Park
 * July 17 2022 - Handsworth Park
 * July 15 2023 - Handsworth Park