Get Involved
The Cowley Road Carnival is a community event. If you want to get involved – whether through volunteering, performing, participating in the procession or having a stall – it's easy! Simply email to carnival@eastoxford.com
Q When is the next Carnival?
A The Cowley Road Carnival always takes place on the first Sunday in July. The next Carnival is on Sunday 6 July, 2008, starting at midday, and continuing until 6pm.
Q How can I get involved in the Carnival?
A. We'd love as many people as possible to be involved in our Carnival, though please bear in mind that we also have certain limitations on the numbers of participants we can accept, due to factors including the conditions within our licence, available stage time and deadlines for programmes and marketing. Don't let that put you off registering your interest, though! Simply email to carnival@eastoxford.com.
Q How do I apply for a stall at this year's Carnival?
A Having a stall at the Carnival is a great way of selling to a large, diverse selection of potential customers. To apply, simply email it to: stalls@inevents.org.
Q How can I find out what will be happening?
A Keep an eye on the local press – normally, there is pretty good coverage in the weeks prior to the Carnival. Also, details will be added to the website as soon as they are confirmed. On the day itself, programmes, running orders and site maps will be available.
Q What performing Arts events will there be?
A Carnival prides itself on the variety & diversity of local talent that we welcome to our event. There will be in the region of 8 live performance areas, 6 sound systems, a skate park, numerous children's activities and some fantastic street theatre from around the country.
Q Where are the event venues?
A Click on the map on the website's "programme page" for more information. The Carnival takes place along the Cowley Road - and its adjoining streets – from The Plain (the roundabout at the city end) to Magdalen Road (by the Bingo Hall).
Q Are refreshments available?
A Definitely! As well as the many shops and restaurants on the Cowley Road, there will also be a selection of refreshments on Manzil Gardens.
Q Is there parking available?
A Absolutely not, this is East Oxford! Cycle, walk or get a bus! If you must drive then park at one of the Park & Ride locations around the city, and then get a bus to St Clements or the City Centre. The Cowley Road is about a 2-minute walk from the Magdalen Bridge.
Q What about the road? If I live within the road closure will I be able to get in / out?
A The road is closed from 6am to 9pm on Sunday 6 July from the Plain to Magdalen Road. There will be absolutely no vehicles permitted within the closure from 11am to 7pm and then only pre-authorised production and essential vehicles outside these times. Security will be in place to ensure this closure is managed safely.
Q Will a photo of my child appear on this website or be used within any material produced by Carnival?
A We only use photos from our press photographers who will always ask permission to take a close-up photo of your child, though we cannot guarantee that you - or your child - will not be in the background of any photos taken. If you have any concerns, please email us.
Q What does the Carnival do to ensure the safety of participating children and venerable persons?
A We have a detailed Children and Venerable Persons (CVP) procedure that all staff are briefed on. We have two dedicated members of staff working within CVP. Thames Valley Police are involved in the planning of the event and will have a presence on the day.
Q Who runs the Carnival?
A The Carnival is commissioned by East Oxford Action, who are a social enterprise committed to developing East Oxford. There is a steering group of up to 6 members, who direct the content of Carnival and manage the event producers, Inevents. A number of other organisations are involved within elements of the event, such as Fusion Arts, Ark-T, Pegasus Theatre and many more.
Q Can anyone join the Steering Group?
A Yes. If you would like to join us then email carnival@eastoxford.com. We will recruit new members to join the group from August 2008. The commitment is one meeting a month from August to April and then 2 meetings a month from April to July.
Q How is the Carnival funded?
A It is important to stress that the Carnival is NOT a council event. We receive money from a number of sources. Our lead supporters are: Arts Council England, BMW Group Plant Oxford & Oxford City Council. In addition, we are also supported by a number of smaller donors & businesses, who provide valuable assistance with areas like sponsorship and advertising.
BECOME A SUPPORTER
Supporting the Cowley Road Carnival offers the opportunity to be associated with the biggest and most-loved event in Oxford, and is good for your business. Individuals can become a friend of the Carnival from as little as £20. Contact us and see how YOU can be part of YOUR community's celebration.
Q When is the next Carnival?
A The Cowley Road Carnival always takes place on the first Sunday in July. The next Carnival is on Sunday 6 July, 2008, starting at midday, and continuing until 6pm.
Q How can I get involved in the Carnival?
A. We'd love as many people as possible to be involved in our Carnival, though please bear in mind that we also have certain limitations on the numbers of participants we can accept, due to factors including the conditions within our licence, available stage time and deadlines for programmes and marketing. Don't let that put you off registering your interest, though! Simply email to carnival@eastoxford.com.
Q How do I apply for a stall at this year's Carnival?
A Having a stall at the Carnival is a great way of selling to a large, diverse selection of potential customers. To apply, simply email it to: stalls@inevents.org.
Q How can I find out what will be happening?
A Keep an eye on the local press – normally, there is pretty good coverage in the weeks prior to the Carnival. Also, details will be added to the website as soon as they are confirmed. On the day itself, programmes, running orders and site maps will be available.
Q What performing Arts events will there be?
A Carnival prides itself on the variety & diversity of local talent that we welcome to our event. There will be in the region of 8 live performance areas, 6 sound systems, a skate park, numerous children's activities and some fantastic street theatre from around the country.
Q Where are the event venues?
A Click on the map on the website's "programme page" for more information. The Carnival takes place along the Cowley Road - and its adjoining streets – from The Plain (the roundabout at the city end) to Magdalen Road (by the Bingo Hall).
Q Are refreshments available?
A Definitely! As well as the many shops and restaurants on the Cowley Road, there will also be a selection of refreshments on Manzil Gardens.
Q Is there parking available?
A Absolutely not, this is East Oxford! Cycle, walk or get a bus! If you must drive then park at one of the Park & Ride locations around the city, and then get a bus to St Clements or the City Centre. The Cowley Road is about a 2-minute walk from the Magdalen Bridge.
Q What about the road? If I live within the road closure will I be able to get in / out?
A The road is closed from 6am to 9pm on Sunday 6 July from the Plain to Magdalen Road. There will be absolutely no vehicles permitted within the closure from 11am to 7pm and then only pre-authorised production and essential vehicles outside these times. Security will be in place to ensure this closure is managed safely.
Q Will a photo of my child appear on this website or be used within any material produced by Carnival?
A We only use photos from our press photographers who will always ask permission to take a close-up photo of your child, though we cannot guarantee that you - or your child - will not be in the background of any photos taken. If you have any concerns, please email us.
Q What does the Carnival do to ensure the safety of participating children and venerable persons?
A We have a detailed Children and Venerable Persons (CVP) procedure that all staff are briefed on. We have two dedicated members of staff working within CVP. Thames Valley Police are involved in the planning of the event and will have a presence on the day.
Q Who runs the Carnival?
A The Carnival is commissioned by East Oxford Action, who are a social enterprise committed to developing East Oxford. There is a steering group of up to 6 members, who direct the content of Carnival and manage the event producers, Inevents. A number of other organisations are involved within elements of the event, such as Fusion Arts, Ark-T, Pegasus Theatre and many more.
Q Can anyone join the Steering Group?
A Yes. If you would like to join us then email carnival@eastoxford.com. We will recruit new members to join the group from August 2008. The commitment is one meeting a month from August to April and then 2 meetings a month from April to July.
Q How is the Carnival funded?
A It is important to stress that the Carnival is NOT a council event. We receive money from a number of sources. Our lead supporters are: Arts Council England, BMW Group Plant Oxford & Oxford City Council. In addition, we are also supported by a number of smaller donors & businesses, who provide valuable assistance with areas like sponsorship and advertising.
