THE people of East Oxford have been urged to get behind the Cowley Road Carnival as preparations get under way for next year’s event.

Organisers have confirmed that the carnival will take proceed down Cowley Road again.

Organiser Danielle Battigelli said: “It is definitely going to be back next year.

“We are now moving into the phase where we will be approaching businesses for support, and we definitely need their support to make it happen.

“We are optimistic we will be able to raise the money we need, but obviously we need people to come forward and support it.

“The other important source of funding is fundraising events and if anyone has any ideas we would love to hear from them.”

The funding from the city council is for £30,000 of the carnival’s £100,000 budget.

This year the carnival, which was launched in 2001, returned to Cowley Road after a two-year absence.

Last year the carnival was cancelled because of the Olympics and the Jubilee, while in 2011 it was held in South Park because of the Iffley Road roadworks.

Oxford City Council had stepped in with a £50,000 grant and a contractual agreement to safeguard the event for three years.

It was attended by 35,000 people – the largest attendance in the carnival’s 12-year history.

More than 600 people took part in the carnival’s famous procession.

Iffley Fields city councillor David Williams said: “This year’s Cowley Road Carnival was a wonderful celebration of all that is best on the Cowley Road and East Oxford.

“Tens of thousands of people enjoyed a brilliant day of pure happiness with music, dance, food and entertainment.

“The carnival’s dream of showing the benefits of our multicultural community blossomed in a rich and vivid showcase of colour and characters. It was a day to remember – a day when all that was good came on to the streets of Cowley Road.”

To support the carnival visit cowleyroad carnival.co.uk or email info@cowleyroadworks.org