In the year 2000, things on the Cowley Road were not looking good.  Shops were closing, businesses struggling and a vibrant, diverse community was under threat.  Something had to change.

The turning point came with the arrival of 'East Oxford Action'.  Working with local groups & individuals, the regeneration of the area began and the results soon started to show.  The Cowley Road was getting its groove back, and what better way to celebrate things getting better – and bring everyone together - than a party?!  The Cowley Road Carnival was born!

The first Carnival, in 2001, had humble beginnings.  Permission to close the Cowley Road was refused, so the event was held just off of the main road, on Manzil Way.  The location may have been small, but the crowd was big, with 5,000 people coming to enjoy the fun!  Already, it was clear that the Carnival was destined to grow & flourish….

By 2002, big developments had already taken place.  A Carnival Coordinator had been recruited & trained; the experienced events company, 'Continental Drifts', was put in charge of the production; permission was finally granted for the Cowley Road to close for the duration of the procession; and Manzil Gardens was established as the venue for the main stage.  Carnival, as we know it today, was taking shape – very healthily!

2003 was the first year that we had a full procession.  It was also the year that the event was consolidated, thanks to the support of the City Council, the Arts Council and the first of our corporate sponsors - the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-operative (now Midcounties Co-operative).  This arrangement meant a 3 year deal for the Carnival.

In 2004, a breakthrough happened - we were granted permission to completely close the Cowley Road for the whole of the Carnival, not just the procession!  This completely transformed the event and created an amazing vibe!

Carnival numbers had increased massively by 2005, with 25,000 people filling the Cowley Road.  A grant from the Urban Cultural Programme (via Oxford Inspires) allowed us to plan a much larger event, with a longer run-up.  This extra time, leading up to the Carnival, gave us an opportunity to do more with the local community, to further involve them in the event.  One example is the workshops we ran for local young people & schools, which resulted in spectacular costumes on the day.

We took a break from the Carnival in 2006, deciding to run a food-focused event instead, without the procession.  The event went back to its roots, relying on performers playing for free and local businesses sponsoring large parts of the event - in addition to our lead sponsor, BMW Group Plant Oxford.  This proved to be hugely successful and we were delighted with the response.

In 2007 - to mark 1000 years of Oxfordshire, and thanks again to generous funding from BMW, Oxford City Council and others - the full Carnival was back, complete with procession!

In 2008, Carnival took place on 6 July, with 20 000 people braving the rain, which cleared as the procession got underway.   The procession was made particularly spectacular  by the giant puppets created by community groups with local artists trained by Mandinga Arts.  Albanian, Czech and Polish communities participated in Carnival, and there was also a focus on South American culture.  For photos of the event see http://cowleyroadcarnival.blogspot.com

In 2009, Carnival was taken under the wing of a new charity, the East Oxford Action Charity, whose aim is to secure the long term future of Carnival, to develop it as one of the region's biggest multicultural community arts events, and to widen the involvement of and benefit to local communities and businesses.  Carnival on Sunday 5 July 2009 was a fantastic day ad families particularly loved the stages and family activities and stalls in South Park.

Carnival 2010 is even more ambitious, as the newly named Cowley Road Works presents for the first time an open air fundraiser concert in South Park, on Saturday 3rd July from 5pm - 11pm. This is a ticketed event open to all the family featuring internationally renowned artists Kanda Bongo Man and his 8 piece band and dancers from the Congo (and one of John Peels top artists of all time), Grand Union Carnival Band playing banghra, world, cuban, jazz and more, Reggae vibes from local band Makating, jazzy arabic film noir by Brickwork Lizards and Reggae, Dancehall and Ska from DJ Count Skylarkin. Fiesta in the Park takes place using one of three stages which will be set up for the next day for Carnival. Proceeds go towards Carnival this year and future years, tickets available from www.wegottickets.com (search Fiesta in the Park) and from local stockists SS20 / Scribbler and Rapture in Witney from this weekend.

Cowley Rd Carnival takes place on the Cowley Rd on Sunday 4th July 10-6pm and in South Park 12-8pm, all free. With live music, young performers, a Big Dance Stage, a Magnificent Machines Parade on Cowley Rd from midday at the Plain to Manzil gardens led by Sol Samba and Horns of Plenty, and a Carnival procession in the park at 3pm with 15 schools, the chinese dragon and more! Soundsystems, family areas, stalls, creative workshops and more - including "Rock Up and Play Be-In" spots for unprogrammed UNPLUGGED performers, musicians, singers, dancers can .. rock up and play!

If you would like to know more or get involved, email carnivalinformation@googlemail.com