Crowds lap up a weekend of fun

SADDLE up . . . Grace (5) and Hollie (6) Appleby have a donkey ride

CARNIVAL fever swept Oldham this weekend as a crowds flocked to Alexandra Park for two days of entertainment and activities.

Thousands of people attended the carnival weekend, sponsored by the Oldham Chronicle, which began with a parade on Saturday and saw over 60 acts perform on three stages.

Visitors were entertained by a horde of Vikings who set up camp in the main field and regularly “battled” in front of a cheering audience.

“Britain’s Got Talent” star Sophie Mei shimmied and shook her way through a range of belly dances on the main stage on Saturday, while the karaoke champions were in fine voice on Sunday.

Activities for all were on offer including traditional fairground games such as hoopla, tin can alley and donkey rides.

Youngsters loved the fairground rides and inflatable slides, and families browsed stalls and stands from organisations such as the British Red Cross and Cancer Support.

Mayor of Oldham Councillor Shoab Akhtar thanked the carnival committee, sponsors and volunteers for helping stage the event.

He said: “When I was growing up, I always looked forward to seeing the carnival parade and day out in the park.

“It gives an opportunity for so many talented individuals and groups to perform and showcase positive themes in Oldham.”

Paul Davies, carnival organiser, said: “It has been a fabulous weekend, the best we’ve ever had. The park has been really full and it only rained for a few hours on Sunday before the sun came out.

“It is great that people know the carnival is a permanent fixture and we’ve had more stalls and more sponsors.

“We’ve exceeded last year’s 25,000 visitors and have had people from every community leave the park with a smile on their face.We are already planning next year’s event which is going to be bigger and better so its a case of wait and see what’s in store.”




Entertainment was a rival to Glastonbury!



MUSIC filled Alexandra Park as it almost rivalled Glastonbury for musical entertainment.



From indie and pop to hip hop and punk, all tastes and genres were catered for on three specially built stages.

Parade watchers got into the carnival spirit as a mixture of Northern Soul, pop music and chart hits rang out from passing vehicles and had people dancing in the streets.

Inside the park, pop punksters Crazy Daze got the crowd going on the main stage on Saturday afternoon while Mispelt Youth and D-Rydah entertained in the evening.

Sunday saw the mixed genres of the karaoke champions, Hip-Hoperatic — The Remix and 5ft Fez entertain visitors of all ages.

Top international artist Magnet Man and his full live band performed his official UNICEF Bremen Schools for Africa song “Eskape to the Muzic for Africa”.

And mods gathered round the Lions Den stage on Saturday for the Lazy Aces Scooter Club Show which ran from noon until 7pm.

Paul Davies, carnival organiser, said: “The music has been great this carnival weekend.

“We’ve had so many different acts performing on three different stages that people could go from one to the other to experience something new.

“There has been a great atmosphere and we’ve already got some great ideas for next year’s event.”




They all went marching on!



FANTASTIC floats and colourful creations filled Oldham’s streets as the Carnival Parade kicked off the two day event.



Crowds gathered to catch the best view of floats, walking groups, cyclists, vehicles and even Vikings joining this year’s parade.

The lively parade, sponsored by Contour Housing Group, started from Alexander Park at 12noon and followed a route down Ashton Road, along Honeywell Lane and back to the park.

Around 350 people took part in the parade which stretched over one and a half miles.

Platinum award winning artist Magnet Man led the parade before heading into the park for a performance on the Eskape To The Music stage.

Hollyoaks favourite Ellis Hollins, the eight-year-old actor who plays Tom Cunningham, waved at the crowds from his vehicle. Among the groups being cheered on were the performing youngsters of the Act One Theatre School and the Lancashire Soul Corp, who played Northern Soul music along the route.

The Karma Ju Jitsu group showed off their sporting skills, while the Oldham and District Mini Club drove through the town in their multicoloured cars.

A total of 22 dancing groups and majorettes in sparkling costumes showed off their skill s and spun their sticks for the crowds.

Andy Butler, parade organiser, said: “The parade went spectacularly well, with no mishaps and everything going to plan.

“Lots of people turned up to see it this year’s parade and we had the biggest crowds along Kings Road and Park Road.

“Plans for next year include less vehicles to ensure a greener parade and more walking groups with elaborate costumes like the Notting Hill Parade.”

Many more pictures from the weekend on this link
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