Parks and countryside
Blockbuster free event to mark 150th anniversary of Walsall Arboretum
Published on
A live music and celebration event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Walsall Arboretum will take place this May, and it is completely free.
The event will take place in the park on Saturday 4 May 2024, between 12 noon and 7pm, exactly 150 years since the grand opening of the Arboretum back in 1874. An array of activities will be on offer on the day, with something for everyone, ranging from the much-loved miniature railway returning for the day to talks and showcases from the various groups which make use of the Arboretum.
There will also be children's rides, food stalls and bars, traditional games and boat rides on the lake (payment needed).
The world’s first all-female Slade tribute band, Slady, will headline the celebrations alongside a host of talented, mainly local, musicians. Slady are the perfect choice for the festivities, paying homage to Walsall native, lead singer and guitarist of Slade, Noddy Holder.
“ This event gives us all the opportunity to come together and celebrate one of Walsall’s most loved and cherished attractions. For 150 years Walsall Arboretum has been a place for exercise, play, relaxation, community activities, as well as providing a home for wildlife and nature to flourish.
"We are very excited about the music and activities that will be on offer, and proud to put on the event at no cost to attendees. I encourage everyone and anyone to join us on the day to celebrate one of the finest public parks in the Midlands. “
The day will feature both a main stage and an acoustic stage, hosted by well-known local DJ Dicky Dodd, all to be enjoyed for free.
Main Stage acts:
- Slady
- Midnight Crossing
- Inareko
- Noise Candy
- Voices Entwined Choir
- The West Midlands Concert Band
- The City of Birmingham Brass Band
Acoustic Stage acts:
- Aayushi Jain
- Jessie Desai
- Gavin Medza
- The Clarkes & Co
- Christopher Crompton
- Plus many more!
Activity highlights:
- Miniature Railway
- Children’s Rides
- Food Stalls and Bars
- Traditional Games and Activities
- Find out about our Arboretum Groups
- Guided History Walk
- Boating on the lake (payment needed)
- Glorishears of Brummagem Morris Dancers
- Walkabout entertainment
- Wildlife Management Forum with our Park Staff
ENDS.
Notes to Editors
About Walsall Arboretum
Walsall Arboretum is a rural retreat at the heart of Walsall town centre. First opened in 1874, it now spans 170 acres and includes Hatherton lake, the country park and the extension.
The site attracts over a million visitors a year, with people of all ages enjoying events such as the annual bonfire and fireworks, funfairs, fun runs and activities such as: cricket, tennis, bowling, informal football, walking, cycling, and running. The Sunday parkrun attracts hundreds of people every week. In summer, the splash pad and children’s play area also attract thousands of visitors. With a trim trail, skatepark and multi-use games area there really is something for everyone. And, in amongst all this activity, there are spaces for quiet contemplation and opportunities to enjoy the vast array of plants and animals that inhabit the space.
The Arboretum will mark its 150th anniversary in 2024 with celebratory events throughout the year. https://www.go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces/visit-our-parks-and-play-areas/walsall-arboretum Find out more about Walsall's parks and green spaces here: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces
Arboretum facts and figures:
- Attracts over 1 million visitors each year.
- It spans 170 acres and includes the heritage core of the park, the extension as well as Walsall country park.
- The Arboretum is part of the UNESCO Black Country global Geopark with spans the region. It was formerly the site of limestone mines that were active between 1770-c.1835
- Holds a place on Historic England’s National Heritage List for England, a unique register of our country's most significant historic buildings and sites
- Home to 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs. A report published in July for the Ancient Tree Inventory revealed that the Arboretum boasts the highest concentration of ancient and veteran trees in the entire region
- Home to the ‘Devil’s Toe’ – a glacial ‘erratic’ boulder which was carried from North Wales on an ice sheet around 400,000 years ago
