A LIVE music show in Oxford’s South Park could help guarantee that the Cowley Road Carnival goes ahead next year.

Carnival organisers hope to raise £30,000 from the concert, which will take place the night before this year’s carnival on Sunday, July 4.

Earlier this year, organisers feared this year’s carnival would have to be scaled down after the Arts Council rejected an application for a £50,000 grant.

But thanks to a £40,000 rescue package from the city and county councils, the carnival will return to Cowley Road, after being held in the park last year.

The concert, which will run from 5pm to 11pm on Saturday, July 3, is called Fiesta in the Park.

The organisers hope it will kick-start fundraising for next year’s event.

Tickets cost £8 in advance and £10 on the day.

Karen David, a spokesman for Cowley Road Works, the charity which organises the carnival, said: “We have told the city’s safety advisory group that we will be catering for 5,000 people to come to Fiesta in the Park.

“It would be fantastic if 5,000 people did come. That would raise about £30,000.

“It will be a very good start for guaranteeing the return of the Cowley Road Carnival next year. Public funds are tight and the councils have made it clear that the additional funding they gave us this year was a one-off.”

Fellow trustee Stuart Allen added: “All the proceeds (from the live music event) will go to the Cowley Road Carnival Fund, to help secure the carnival for this and future years.

“We’re appealing to enterprises and businesses who have an interest in the community to come forward and support us.”

The BMW Mini factory in Cowley has also given the carnival a boost by pledging an undisclosed sum for the fourth year running.

Plant managing director Dr Jurgen Hedrich said: “It’s an event which reflects the personality of the area, and we’re delighted to be involved again.”

Local bands will also play in South Park on Sunday, July 4, from noon to 8pm – and admission will be free.

For more details see wegottickets.com or cowleyroad carnival.co.uk

  • THE line-up for Fiesta in the Park on Saturday, July 3:
  • Kanda Bongo Man. Guitar-led soukous music.
  • Grand Union Carnival Band. One of the UK’s most successful and world-renowned jazz orchestras.
  • Makating. Oxford reggae favourites.
  • Brickwork Lizards. A six-piece band featuring the silky Arabic vocals of Tarik Bashir and the wise words of MC Tomohawk.
  • DJ Count Skylarkin Skylarkin’ Soundsystem.

The line-up in South Park on Sunday, July 4:

  • The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, Dead Jerichos, UTE, The Winchell Riots, Long Insiders, Borderville, Charly Coombes and the New Breed, Anton Barbeau, Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor, Samuel Zasada, Olly Wills, Bethany Weimers, Adam Barnes, and Matt Winkworth.
  • There will also be a series of musical performances along Cowley Road during the carnival, at a number of venues, including the Methodist Church Centre, Jeune Street.