It’s Carnival time!

CARNIVAL comes to town this weekend with Alexandra Park ready to host a packed programme of events and attractions.

The Carnival Parade will have over forty entries again this year – many walking or cycling rather than using the traditional floats.

Charities and community groups make up the bulk of this year’s parade – which starts from Alexandra Park at noon tomorrow, winds its way down Ashton Road, along Honeywell Lane and back to the park.

Parade Manager, Andy Butler, says times are changing. “We can see a trend towards a more Notting Hill type parade – in which the emphasis is on groups designing elaborate costumes rather than dressing up a float. We want to encourage this in a bigger way next year”.

Alexandra Park will come alive with over sixty acts, on three separate stages, as international stars are mixed with local talent making the best of the opportunity to perform in front of thousands.

All three stages will be live between noon and 7pm on Saturday and between noon and 5.30pm on Sunday. All the entertainment is FREE.

Want to see how the Vikings lived?

Well, this year at Oldham Carnival, there is a FREE weekend-long Viking Show at Alexandra Park.

Complete with regular battles at 2pm and 4pm, the show also involves live displays of Viking skills such as ironmongery and woodcraft.

The Vikings will start the weekend on the Contour Housing Oldham Carnival Parade.

Women envy her seductiveness, men desire her... no wonder belly dancer Sophie Mei (pictured) mesmerised the “Britain’s Got Talent” judges on TV recently.

And now, Sophie is going to entertain carnival-goers with her super belly dance on our BIG stage at Carnival weekend.

This year’s UK Dance Troupe Championship is bigger than 2007. Dance troupes will start competing early tomorrow morning and compete throughout the day.

They will also be showing off their skills on the Carnival parade. The event is sponsored by www.blushdance.co.uk

This year’s kids stuff includes the Titanic Slide, hook-a-duck, bouncy castle, Dominator ride, Rodeo Bull, quad bikes, Space Kids ride, big top inflatable slide, big top playbed, inflatable helter skelter, inflatable galleon, game stall, donkeys, Cup & Saucer, trampolines, mini chairs, fun bag, football shooter, and a 20ft shooter stall

Through 12 grueling heats Joanne McCullen was voted Oldham Karaoke Champion at the Weavers Arms, Huddersfield Rd, a few weeks ago.

Now she gets her prize on the Carnival Main Stage tomorrow – and takes the microphone one more time!

Carnival weekend promises to be another mouth-watering event.

This year’s food includes Fire in the Hole Pizzas, Scottish Stovies, Asian and Caribbean Cuisine, Funnel Cakes, the Urban Coffee Company, Jacket Potatoes, Crepes a la Kas, the German sausage Company and Japanese Kitchen.

Rob Roy Collins is one of Europe’s top street performers.

His show has taken him around the world, performing in over 50 cities and 10 countries - a stunt comedy escapology act.

The Oldham Mayor, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, will give a short speech on the Carnival Main Stage at 3.30pm on Saturday.

He will then speak on the Escape to the Muzic Stage to wish good luck on its tour of the UK at 4.15pm.

Plenty of charity, commercial and craft stalls around Alexandra Park for the weekend.

There are also exhibitions from Manchester Prison, N-Power and Specsavers. Many community groups are also represented.

A feature of Oldham Carnival is Bob the Bar.

The mobile bar unit serves most traditional beers at the same quality as your local pub or club.

There is also a comfortable seating area around the bar which creates a friendly atmosphere for all the family to enjoy.

Parking is FREE at Alexandra Park during Carnival weekend.

However, restrictions are in place during the Carnival parade.

Parking along Kings Road and part of Snipe Clough is available on a first- come-first-served basis from 3pm Saturday and throughout the rest of the weekend.

Oldham District Mini Club will be displaying their classic minis on Alexandra Park during Saturday.

It’s expected up to fifty minis will be in attendance for the day.

Northern Soul comes to Alexandra Park on Sunday when the O’Town Experience DJs take to the decks.

Join in the free fun and have a dance!