Simmer Down Festival, Birmingham’s annual celebration of reggae, has announced plans to hold its 2023 Festival in Handsworth Park and organisers say it will be bigger and better than ever before.

 

Now Simmer Down is searching for key business sponsors for the event on Sunday 16 July.

 

Up to 20,000 people are forecast to attend Simmer Down, which is amongst the biggest live celebrations of reggae in the UK and a landmark event in the West Midlands arts calendar. 

 

Organisers promise to feature the best international reggae artists alongside homegrown talent.

 

A key sponsor is essential as Simmer Down strives to keep the entrance fee as low as possible. 

 

Alex Williams said: “Simmer Down is a much-loved festival, celebrating the past, present and future of reggae and other genres. It began as a modest community event 11-years ago but now has an international reach, attracting festival-goers from way beyond our core area of Birmingham.

 

“We bounced back from Covid-19 in 2021 to attract a crowd of 17,000 and last year, for our first paid event we attracted crowds of 10,000 people to Handsworth Park. We’re building on that figure for 2023.

 

“Each year we strive hard to make the festival the best possible celebration of the music we love.

 

“Attracting key sponsors is vital to providing the best possible musical line up and wider entertainment programme.”

 

With tickets starting at just £8, Simmer Down say the festival offers the best possible value for money.

 

The festival programme is delivered across three stages. The 2023 programme will include live music, dance and spoken word. There will be educational workshops, food stalls and a dedicated children’s programme, known as the Children’s Meadow.

 

Fun activities will feature family rides, face painting and even a community cricket match.

 

While the line-up for 2023 is yet to be announced, Simmer Down has previously attracted international reggae legends including Steel Pulse, Freddie McGregor, Maxi Priest, Inner Circle and Third World.

 

Simmer Down Arts are a Community Interest Company and an Arts Council national portfolio organisation.

 

They say that sponsoring Simmer Down 2023 offers the perfect opportunity for companies to align themselves with one of the UK’s most vibrant festivals, attracting a diverse audience.

 

The audience for last year’s event was evenly spread across all age groups and was ethnically diverse.

 

Alex added: “Sponsors benefit from our wide-reaching promotional activity. Simmer Down is advertised on multiple radio stations and on billboards across the Midlands. 

 

“We distribute 50,000 flyers in the lead up to the festival. It’s extensively promoted across our social media and listed on arts sites.”

 

Simmer Down is hoping to attract a headline sponsor and have a variety of other sponsorship packages available.

 

For further information on Simmer Down, please go online to www.simmerdownarts.com.

 

ENDS

 

For media enquiries contact Nigel Howle. Telephone 0776 2043436, email [email protected]