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Wolverhampton has been selected as one of 8 areas in the country to host the free BBC World War One at Home tour as part of its series of major public events.
The family friendly event will include the chance to meet BBC stars, hands on activities, performances and interactive sessions designed to appeal to everyone from 8 to 80.
Visitors can go along to The Briefing Room for interviews and presentations hosted by BBC stars including actor Larry Lamb. They can volunteer to be put through their paces on an outdoor Parade Ground and, at a number of events, make their own World War One At Home ID Permit to take away in The Recruitment Office.
People can also learn about how medicine and communications were transformed during the war, including demonstrations of how carrier pigeons were an invaluable resource for sending messages.
The event will be staged in a separate area alongside the hugely popular Wolverhampton & Black Country Show in West Park on Saturday 12 and 13 July.
Mark Blackstock, Wolverhampton Civic Halls manager, said: "We were delighted that the BBC approached us about using West Park and the Wolverhampton & Black Country Show to link in with their flagship World War One at Home tour. It's a real coup for us hosting the BBC event which is just one of 8 of this kind being staged across the country.
"It promises to be something very special and we hope families coming along to enjoy either the City Show or the BBC World War One at Home event will make a full day of it and spend time at both."
Craig Henderson, Head of Programmes for BBC English Regions, who oversaw the launch of the World War One At Home programmes earlier this year, adds: "As the national broadcaster which is also at the heart of the communities it serves, the BBC is in a unique position to stage a project like the World War One At Home Tour, reaching people right across the country."
This year the Wolverhampton & Black Country Show is promising a host of new attractions including The Signal 107 Sound Stage with big screen, which will have its own dedicated field featuring a variety of live entertainment interspersed with popular music videos.
A talent show, a Banks's Beer Festival, serving 16 real ales on tap throughout the weekend,
a free ride on miniature steam railway and firm favourites the Monster Trucks, Gerrard Naprous & the Devil's Horsemen, Boldog Lings Free Style Motorcross Team and Elaine Hill Sheepdog Display will provide fun for all as well as fairground rides and a variety of stalls.
Entrance to the Wolverhampton & Black Country Show is just £3 for adults and £2 for children aged between 2 and 16. Visitors to the show will get wristbands giving them access between both the show and the BBC World War One at Home tour, which on its own is free.
- released: Friday 16 May, 2014