It’s a one-day wonder!
Reporter: BEATRIZ AYALA
Date published: 27 June 2011
Photo: PICTURES BY GARETH LOWE
JUMP to the beat... The Filipino Association of Oldham make some noise.
SUMMER sunshine saw an amazing 20,000 visitors flock to the annual Oldham Carnival at Alexandra Park yesterday.
Glorious weather meant thousands of families from across Oldham and beyond descended on the park to soak in the carnival atmosphere and enjoy the vast array of activities.
This year’s event, held during one-day instead of over a weekend, saw the traditional town-centre street parade move to the confines of the park.
Crowds gathered to watch the colourful procession, which focused on dance and costumes instead of motorised floats.
In pole position was the Fitton Hill and Hathershaw Bulldogs ARLFC, followed by drummers and flag-wavers of the Filipino Association in Oldham.
Carnival queens, majorettes, Oldham Athletic Blu Crew and the Al Kimiya Belly Dance Group all joined in the procession which snaked through the park and ended at the Promenade.
Linda Poyner (64), from Cardwell Street, approved of the new park-based parade.
She said: “The parade used to come past my house and I sometimes couldn’t get out to see it. It’s much better in the park.
“The little dancing tots were my favourite and you wouldn’t see them walking if the parade was on the streets.”
Karen Kiernan (29), from Higginshaw, preferred previous year’s motorised floats.
She said: “Having the parade in the park gets the atmosphere going but I still prefer seeing it outside with more music.”
Revellers of all ages enjoyed a whole host of fun-filled activities, including watching 24 teams compete in an inflatable It’s a Knockout assault course.
Dancers in dazzling costumes battled it out during the UK Dance Troupe Championships held in the main field.
Children were spoiled for choice with free-face painting, donkey rides, inflatable slides and fun-fair amusements.
Three stages, The Community Stage, sponsored by Oldham Academy North, the Main Stage and the Lion’s Den stage, featured a full line up of acts that kept the crowds entertained into the evening.
Fabulous food from around the globe catered for all tastes, from Caribbean cuisine to Chinese dishes and traditional burgers and candy floss.
And a multitude of stalls run by charities and organisations handed out information and advice.
Zahraa Ahmed, carnival spokeswoman, said: “The one-day event has gone really well and the new parade was extremely successful.
“The park was packed from 11.30am and people visited us a number of times in one day.
“The weather was amazing and really helped us.
“We’ve already got lots of ideas for next year’s event which will be bigger and better.”
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