COWLEY ROAD WORKS, the charity organising Cowley Road Carnival, has announced that Oxford’s favourite community celebration is taking a break in 2012, to be ready to return with a spectacular event in 2013.
“There is a lot going on in Oxford this year, with many events around the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics,” says John Hole, Cowley Road Works chair of trustees. “We feel that by taking a break, the community can focus on all of these and we can benefit from a longer planning period to return in 2013 with the Schools and Community Procession, music performances and even more of the community-focused events that make Carnival so magical".
“We have consulted with many community groups and people connected to Carnival and have reached the conclusion that it makes a lot of sense to hold on until 2013".
"In addition, to make Carnival the best that it can be, we can use the 18 month lead time to attract help and participation from all parts of the community and to secure crucial funding and sponsorship".
Tara Stewart, artistic director for Fusion Arts, which coordinates the creation of props and costumes for the Carnival Procession, adds: "Carnival is a brilliant event and holds a special place in the heart of the community. We are looking forward to using the extra lead in time to develop more fantastic new ideas and give even more people a chance of joining in the fun. Roll on 2013!"
Cowley Road Carnival began in 2001, supported by regeneration funding for the area, and has since grown to become one of Oxford’s biggest community events. Traditionally taking place on the first weekend in July, the event has entailed closing Cowley Road to traffic to stage a Carnival Procession with local schools and community groups. In 2010 the Carnival had grown so popular that nearby South Park was also used to stage Carnival events. In 2011, over 20,000 people came to Carnival, which took place in South Park and included the longest ever Procession of nearly 700 children and adults, including carnival groups from across the South East region. There were also hundreds of performers over several outdoor stages, and a host of stalls, traders and community groups. An outdoor fundraising concert the night before, Fiesta in the Park, featured Roots Manuva and was attended by 2,300 people.
Over the years Cowley Road Carnival has enjoyed increasing support from the regional business community to augment public funding. MINI Plant Oxford has supported the event for five years and 2011 saw many more new business supporters than in previous years.
Anyone who would like to get involved in Cowley Road Carnival 2013, or is interested in sponsorship, should contact Cowley Road Works on email [email protected] or 07941 482376, or visit the Carnival website at www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk.
