A FREE family fun day is being held at The Waterfront on Sunday July 24 as part of the celebrations when the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay passes through the borough.

It will feature live entertainment, dancers, jugglers, stilt walkers, a cycling skills track and food from Digbeth Dining Club from midday to 8pm.

The baton is expected to arrive at the canalside complex near Merry Hill at around 6.45pm as the final one of a number of stop-offs across the borough during the day.

The last carrier of the baton in the borough will be Brierley Hill’s Lions Amateur Boxing Club head coach Kevin Dillon, who will take it on its journey into The Waterfront.

It will then depart by barge along the Dudley No.1 Canal, ready to begin the next stage of its journey to the opening ceremony on Thursday July 28.

As well as coaching hundreds of youngsters at the boxing club, Kevin is also a key figure behind the podcast Black Country Blokes which focuses on mental health issues for men and the group has a regular show on Black Country Radio Xtra, at The Waterfront.

Kevin said: "It will be a huge honour to be the last person to carry the baton in my hometown before it goes off on its way to Birmingham for the start of the Games.

"I can’t wait and hope as many people as possible will come out and support the event."

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Dudley Council, said: "We’re delighted that Dudley borough is one of the final destinations for the Queen’s Baton before it arrives in Birmingham next week for the start of the Games.

"The excitement is really starting to build now and we want as many people as possible to get involved.

"We’ll have loads going on down at The Waterfront - as well as at all of the other locations across the borough - and I would urge people to go along and celebrate what is probably a once in a lifetime event."

Jonathan Poole, centre manager at Merry Hill, added: “Having the baton pass through Dudley is a proud moment and we’re really excited to host the finale of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the borough at the Waterfront.

“We’re marking this historic moment for our local community with a day-long celebration featuring a range of free family-friendly festivities.

"There will be local sports groups performing live demonstrations and taster sessions, a children’s cycle skills track, watersports and much more.

“Visitors can also savour the mouth-watering food and drink delights from street food legends Digbeth Dining Club while taking in the relaxing live entertainment and music."