Millennium event bigger than ever

In the past, Beaumont Street has been used for parking during the two-day event, but this year ten attractions will be situated outside the Ashmolean Museum, including seven rides for youngsters.

The opening ceremony will be performed on Monday at 10.30am by Deputy Lord Mayor Bill Baker.

Funseekers can look forward to six super-rides, 11 major amusements, 27 rides for youngsters and a large number of other attractions. These range from the traditional rides including dodgems, a carousel and a helter-skelter, to the large modern super-rides such as Chaos, the Orbiter, Stargate and Superbowl.

Michael Newman, fair co-ordinator for Oxford City Council, said: "To celebrate the Millennium some rides will be situated in Beaumont Street, on the north side of the Ashmolean Museum.

"The council has always been keen to stress the importance of the fair as a family event and seven of the ten sites in Beaumont Street have been allocated to juvenile rides." Mr Newman added that this year, showmen had been asked to turn off their strobe lighting between 11am and 4pm on Tuesday to allow people suffering illnesses such as epilepsy to attend.

Council bosses have worked closely with the emergency services to make sure the event runs smoothly. It has also employed stewards to support the fair superintendent and his staff.

St Giles, Beaumont Street from St John Street eastwards, Banbury Road from Parks Road junction, and Woodstock Road from Little Clarendon Street southwards are all closed from Sunday morning until early on Wednesday morning. Mr Newman added: "Drivers are being asked to use the ring road if possible.

"Parks Road, South Parks Road, St Cross Road and Longwall Street could serve as an alternative route on the eastern side of the city, while on the western side, drivers could use Walton Street and then St Margaret's Road, through to Woodstock Road. We don't expect too many problems."