CARNIVAL organisers are putting the finishing touches to stages and sound systems today as they gear up for the first ever Cowley Road Carnival weekender.

Thousands of people are waiting with baited breath as the carnival is set to make its hotly anticipated return to Oxford’s most colourful street tomorrow.

But organisers are planning to get the carnival atmosphere under way early this year by hosting a musical extravaganza tonight to help raise money to secure the future of Oxford’s biggest free outdoor event.

A 5,000-strong crowd is expected in South Park tonight to enjoy the sounds of Kanda Bongo Man and DJ Count Skylarkin who will be joined by other well loved carnival acts to get revellers in the mood for Sunday’s festivities.

The event marks the first time Cowley Road Works have spread the carnival magic over East Oxford for two days.

Chairman Paul Wolf said: “We’re on track for a great carnival weekend, which gets going with Fiesta in the Park tonight.

“This is the first time we’ve organised a fundraiser concert, and the line-up we have for Fiesta in the Park is sure to get everyone in the mood for a fun, friendly carnival.”

The organisers are also hoping for a bumper turnout tomorrow as they prepare for a double dose of carnival fun this year.

The popular bash usually attracts a crowd of 30,000.

This year organisers hope to beat that figure as they are holding two carnival processions tomorrow – one in Cowley Road and one in South Park.

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.

Olly Wills, of Oxford band The Epstein, is playing the acoustic stage in South Park.

He said: “The carnival is a really important community event.

“It brings everyone together for a really fun day out and it's always a pleasure to play for so many familiar places in our home town.”

Met office spokesman Sarah Holland said the forecast for tomorrow was for a fine, dry day with cloud and some sunny spells.