Background to Simmer Down Festival
Rooted in North Birmingham and located in the beautiful surroundings of Handsworth Park, Simmer Down is a family music and arts festival, which celebrates Birmingham's rich cultural diversity by paying tribute to the centrality of reggae and other musical genres that have contributed to Birmingham as an international city of culture. The festival’s inter-cultural programme features internationally acclaimed artists alongside the very best in homegrown talent. The programme is delivered across a number of stages including the bandstand and marquees and, consists of live music, dance, spoken word, plus educational workshops and participation activities . In addition, there is a dedicated young people’s programme in the Children’s Meadow area alongside a number of fun activities for all the family including face paintings, small rides, a community cricket match and a selection of belly- busting food stalls offering a diverse range of treats from across the city, plus a licensed bars serving draft lagers, wines, spirits and cocktails. In just over 11 years SDF has grown to become one of the most popular and most diverse festivals in the UK. In 2014 SDF paid tribute to Birmingham’s ‘Reggae Greats’ as part of its ‘Home Coming’ theme, in 2015 Maxi Priest headlined attracting over 22,000 people and in 2017 Freddie McGregor attracted record numbers with coaches parties from Bradford, Leicester, Derby, Bristol and Glasgow . As one of Birmingham's best loved festivals, SDF is regarded as a flagship festival which personifies the vibrancy and diversity of the city. It was established as an independent multi agency partnership with its own board of trustees reflecting a range of stakeholders. This unique partnership involves the City’s leading arts organisations, community groups, schools, colleges and local businesses. The wide ranging partners contribute their vast experience, expertise and knowledge in planning and delivering the event and ensuing that it is a safe, secure and positive experience for both local residents and visitors from further afield.
