1st October 2009

Cowley Road Carnival is the county’s largest multicultural community event, and provides a platform for local performers, artists and school groups.

In early 2009 responsibility for organizing Carnival had been handed over to the newly formed East Oxford Action Charity. This small organization was faced with considerable challenges, including limitations of time, capacity and funding compared to previous events, and therefore it was decided the venue needed to be South Park rather than the Cowley Road.

Carnival in the Park on Sunday 5^th July 2009 was a great success: a trouble free event, accessible to all ages, ethnic backgrounds and pockets, which attracted huge crowds, with very positive feedback.

Carnival in the Park attracted approximately 30,000 people during the day, bringing together:

-798 performers (267 over 2 stages, 505 in the procession and 26 in other performance areas). -92 stall holders participated, of which 41 were charities -529 children participated in free workshops in the family area -25 volunteers on the day (including Trustees), plus additional volunteers in the lead-up.

Carnival in the Park worked in partnership with a number of organisations in Oxford on the day and in the planning of the event. The procession included groups from 12 schools as well as ethnic and community groups. There were 92 commercial and non-commercial stalls, including traders from Cowley Road and across Oxford, and local not for profit organisations. Alongside the stalls were rides, games and family attractions. A Family Workshop Area was completely free to participants and provided workshops in creative making, music (steel pan drums and Indian instruments), storytelling, singing, yoga, science experiments and face painting.

Performers represented a wide range of communities and styles including dance, choirs gospel music, bands, acoustic musicians, slam poetry and DJs. All performed for no charge.

We would like to thank everyone who gave their in-kind support to Carnival in the Park, without which the event would not be possible. The planning and management of the event brought together a mix of people with different skills and knowledge of the community, including:

-5 Trustees, who met on average every 2 weeks during the lead up to Carnival and who all worked as volunteers on the day.

-Voluntary observers and advisers, and a freelance Company Secretary

-    Volunteer Coordinator

-Marketing Coordinator

-Other volunteers who helped with set-up, stewarding, marketing, PR, development of policies, programming, print and design, and loan of equipment.

The total estimate of this support is £15,800

We would also like to thank the following organisations for their invaluable support:

-Oxford City Council -East Area Parliament -Oxfordshire County Council -Arts Council England, South East -Mini Plant Oxford -U Dance