ORGANISERS are hoping a double dose of fun will attract a bumper turnout on Sunday as the Cowley Road Carnival makes its much anticipated return, for the first time in two years.

Last year the bash was cancelled and replaced by a carnival in South Park.

The success of that event means the carnival in the park has returned, but organisers have also responded to the swell of public opinion calling for the celebration to come back to Oxford’s most colourful street.

They believe the twin event gives revellers the best of both worlds and could draw a bigger crowd than the 30,000 who usually enjoy the street extravaganza.

The organising charity, Cowley Road Works, is also breaking new ground by holding a music event in South Park to raise money for the carnival.

Cowley Road Works chairman Paul Wolf said: “Our heart is on the road and it’s great to be returning to the road after a year away. Lots of people say they love the carnival on the road and they want it — the road gives the carnival a fantastic vibe.

“The park satisfies the need for people with youngsters to enjoy the carnival with more space, and that’s where the schools and families want us to focus on.

“For us this is very much the best of both worlds.

“I don’t see it as a separation but an extension and expansion of what we’re doing.

“This year I think there will be truly something for everybody and we’re hoping that could result in a bumper turnout. It’s a well-loved event and has a big reputation in the region. We need to work towards it being a major event in the cultural calendar of the South East.”

The theme this year is ‘Invention’ and the Cowley Road procession is set to start at noon with Sol Samba leading a parade of magnificent machines from the Plain roundabout to Manzil Way.

Afterwards seven sound systems and dozens of traders’ stalls will combine with pubs to keep the carnival atmosphere going.

South Park will hold a procession of children from 14 Oxford schools from 3pm.

Both events will allow revellers the chance to sample the multicultural nature of East Oxford with Asian eateries Aziz, Majiliss and the First Floor giving revellers a taste of the Cowley Road.

Food stalls in South Park will offer cuisine from as far afield as Thailand, India and the Caribbean.

Dance and music will bring the park to life throughout the day. Among those performing are Supergrass sibling Charley Coombes and his band the New Breed, and the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band who played the Glastonbury Festival last week.

Mon Barbour, who runs SS20 skate shop, is putting a DJ sound system outside his shop on Cowley Road in conjunction with the Cellar nightclub.

He said: “It’s a great community event and it’s great it’s back on the road. It’s the one day where you see people from every part of the community out on the streets together.”

Aziz Ur-Rahman, who runs Aziz restaurant on Cowley Road, has created two new dishes for the carnival and will sell them from a stall on the road.

He said: “People come from all over to enjoy this event and it’s important to keep it going. Last year it wasn’t the same, it needs to be on the street.”

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk