Carnival returns

Organisers of Oldham’s People’s Carnival are busy planning their biggest summer show yet.
Preparations for the 2012 are well under way as the management group looks to top this year’s success at Alexandra Park, which saw 30,000 visitors on August 7 and 8.

This year’s event will also cover two days, but earlier in the summer, on the weekend of June 23-24.

A family fun day will be staged in Oldham town centre on the Saturday, with one main stage, while the main event on the Sunday at Alexandra Park will feature two stages of live entertainment.

The UK Dance Troupe competition will be held at the park on the Sunday as will the Parade in the Park.

Theme. There will also be a Youth Village on the main field, fair rides, charity stalls, and food and drink outlets.

Youth will be the central theme to Carnival 2012 with the stages packed with youth performers and a host of activities on the main field.

The parade through Alexandra Park is aiming for more individual costume creations and organisers are hoping to provide training skills sessions during the spring and summer for youngsters wanting to design and create costumes.

With the Olympic torch visiting Oldham on the same weekend on its journey to London 2012, there is also speculation that it could pass through the carnival. Oldham’s David Cook Motors is to sponsor the town centre family fun day, with plans in place for free face painting, bouncy castles, a clown show and live music.