Smiles better!
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date published: 09 August 2010
People power makes 2010 carnival the best ever...
OLDHAM Carnival lived up to its promise to be the best ever since the event returned to Alexandra Park.
It was packed with smiling faces as an estimated 30,000 visitors enjoyed a two-day programme packed with events.
The fun kicked off with the colourful parade on Saturday while the main stage showcased live bands to suit most tastes over the weekend — from country and western to indie, rock and rap.
Dancing troupes from around the country competed on Saturday and contrasted with Indian and Filipino dancers who wore traditional costumes.
A range of charity stalls, children’s fairground rides, bouncy castles and food tempted people on both days.
But among the overwhelming hits were the camel rides, Thomas the Tank Engine train trips, bouncy tightropes and dog agility shows — all of which were free of charge.
Susan Cohoon, from Chadderton, visited with her grandchildren and said: “It is the first time I have been in years and I think it is fantastic.
“When you have got children, it’s nice to see a lot of free stuff.”
Bernadette Garth, also from Chadderton, said her family had an amazing time.
She said: “We watched everything — bands singing songs from the 1950s and 60s to Indian dancers. It was brilliant.There was something for everyone. We had a ball,” she added.
Visitors also came from further afield, including Julia Chew, from Bury, who enjoyed the fun with sons David (5) and two-year-old Matthew.
She said: “It’s great that there are free things to do as well as the paying rides.”
Matthew’s highlights were Thomas the Tank Engine and the bouncy castles while David added: “It’s brilliant. I liked riding the camel the best and the tightrope.”
A new organising team took over the flagging event five years ago and renamed it the people’s carnival.
This year, it was switched from its usual slot at the end of June to avoid clashing with the World Cup. A 60-strong team of volunteers also hoped for better weather and more visitors during the school holidays.
Event director Paul Davies said: “It has been a fantastic weekend with a good atmosphere.
“The free rides have been a real treat and the dog agility show attracted a lot of people.
“There has been a real mix of people here. Everyone has been smiling and it reflects our theme this year of many cultures, one community. We are looking forward now and have already booked the dates for the carnival for the next 10 years!”
Councillors Kay Knox and Jim McArdle visited yesterday.
Councillor Knox said: “It’s brilliant and has things for all ages.
“The camels are a great attraction and the weather has been superb.”
Councillor McArdle added: “The general atmosphere is fantastic and the committee has done an absolutely wonderful job.”
Nothing dampened carnivalgoers’ spirits
THE threat of showers failed to rain on a colourful Oldham Carnival parade.
Hundreds lined the streets to watch the procession which started in overcast conditions and ended bathed in sunshine.
Children waved wiggly worm toys, hung on to balloons and blew whistles as a fire engine led revellers from Alexandra Park on Saturday.
It completed a two-mile loop along Kings Road, Park Road, Ashton Road and Honeywell Lane.
Carnival queens, dancing troupes, cheerleaders and majorettes sparkled in glamorous outfits while ex-servicemen proudly marched with standards raised.
A fleet of Minis turned part of the parade into a scene from the “Italian Job” and looked tiny next to imaginative floats decked out in style.
Oldham Rangers FC transformed theirs into a mini football pitch complete with goalposts — and a karaoke-singing supporter — while groups from Fitton Hill created an underwater paradise.
The Indian and Filipino Associations’ floats also dazzled as they transported the crowds from Oldham to the other side of the world.
Organisations and charities collected money along the route while children scrambled for sweets thrown into the crowd.
A couple of gaps in the procession were minor hitches and event director Paul Davies said: “The floats were the best we have had in the five years we have been organising the carnival. We can’t decide which one was the winner. We have had to put off making a decision until we look at photographs.”
Susan Openshaw turned out to watch five-year-old grand-daughter Alexis take part in the parade with Trujons dance troupe. She was with son Paul and grand-daughter Scarlett (2) and said: “It was lovely, my grand-daughter loved it.”
John Jenkins and partner Sam Wood, from Derker, took their three young children along and John added: “It was good. It could have been a bit longer, but the children loved it.”
