Carnival floats axed

NO MORE marching: Oldham Carnivalgoers parade up Park Road near Alexandra Park in 2009. There won’t be a street parade this year

IT’S the end of the road for Oldham Carnival’s parade as we know it... but organisers have other ideas.

The carnival committee has decided this year’s festivities, on Sunday, June 26, will take place solely in Alexandra Park — instead of beginning with a parade of floats through the streets.

Organisers believe the move will make the future of the parade more sustainable.

They say with fuel prices rising, along with the hire of flat-back wagons, they find it increasingly difficult to fund each year.

But they also want to shift the emphasis from floats to dance and costume-based entries.

Paul Davies, of the management group said: “It’s getting more and more difficult to get the trucks and last year many groups ended up sharing floats. It’s not going to get any easier.”

The cost of road closures — including police resources, were also a concern.

Mr Davies added: “We want to move towards a greener, more environmentally-friendly event.

“Having 20 huge wagons belching out carbon monoxide for three hours around the streets just isn’t promoting good health”.

The management group want to build on the carnival over the coming years to produce a vibrant parade around the park.

They say a precedent was set during last year’s event in the park, when the Oldham Indian Association, who had been based in a marquee on the main field, decided to have their own unplanned procession along the promenade.

This year’s carnival will be a circular route around the park and a finale on the famous promenade.

A full programme includes It’s a Knockout with 24 teams, UK Dance Troupe Championships, a fun fair, as well as food and charity stalls.

So far, backers include Oldham Academy, Blue Tiffin Restaurant, Oldham Council and the Oldham Evening Chronicle.