THE biggest reggae festival in the Midlands is happening tomorrow (Sunday) and international star Maxi Priest is headlining.

Simmer Down Festival in Handsworth Park is now in its sixth year and has got bigger with each passing year.

Thousands are expected to descend on the park for seven hours of free entertainment in one of the chilled out festivals the UK has to offer.

This year multi-million record selling reggae star Maxi Priest is headlining and will be delivering a feel good set of his hits including Some Guys Have All The Luck, Wild World and Close To You.

The Londoner has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business including Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, UB40 and Roberta Flack.

Maxi said: “I cannot wait to come to Birmingham and play the free festival everyone is talking about – Simmer Down.

“This is a free concert so it will be fun for everyone.”

There are also a host of stars performing on the day including Michael Prophet, Rod Taylor, Earl Sixteen and Surj Sahota.

Simmer Down Festival is organised by The Drum Arts Centre in conjunction with the Perry Barr Arts Forum and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Handsworth and surrounding areas.

Simmer Down founder and organiser Mukhtar Dar said: “We are expecting record numbers at this year's Simmer Down Festival and we are delighted to have Maxi Priest headlining.”

“It is a fantastic event which is free and great for all the family, it really is not to be missed.”

He added: “As well as the music there are lots of other things to see and experience at Simmer Down as it is an arts festival and cultural event.”

There will be plenty of West Indian food on sale and stalls selling all types of merchandise.

Founder of Iuvo Body Butter cream Edith Gabbidon, who formulated her shea extract body butter whilst undergoing treatment for cancer, will be setting up stall at the festival.

She said: “Simmer Down is a great event and is the perfect opportunity for us to take time to talk to people about our Iuvo Body Butter cream.

“There is a real movement now concerning people choosing a lifestyle which involves using as much natural and organic products as possible and there will be lots of examples of that at Simmer Down and we are delighted to be part of it.”

Simmer Down Festival starts at 12.30pm at Handsworth Park tomorrow (Sunday).