IT WAS great to see thousands of people flock to South Park yesterday.

Coupled with the Cowley Road Fringe Festival, it helped keep carnival simmering in our city.

News there would not be a Cowley Road Carnival this year was hugely disappointing, to say the least.

The event had become a massive draw, with 30,000-plus people taking over one of the city’s main arteries for the afternoon.

It was threatening to become one of the country’s leading street carnivals, of that there is no doubt.

Not only did it pull the community together, but offered a boost to local businesses and charities.

The day was a good fishing exercise for groups to seek out new volunteers and ideas.

There was rarely a whiff of trouble and it was a great local showcase for bands and dance groups.

Yesterday’s park-based event was a success and congratulations must go to those behind the planning.

Now we must seize on the momentum and make sure the party returns to Cowley Road next year.

It is not helped that the city is hamstrung by the crippling economic climate.

People are losing their jobs and struggling to keep their heads above the water.

Sponsors and donations are hard to come by.

But that means there is even more reason for festivals like the Cowley Road Carnival to happen.

Let’s make sure it does.