ON THE day before the Olympic torch passes through Oxford, the city will be hosting its own forerunner – straight out of the pages of Alice in Wonderland.

The Caucus Race, in the third chapter of the classic novel, saw animals running in circles in a race with no winner.

Organisers of the annual Alice Day will be recreating the wacky race with their own selection of dodos, dormice and white rabbits.

The event is part of a weekend of Alice 150th Anniversary celebrations on Sunday, July 8.

Tish Francis is co-director of the Oxford Story Museum, which is organising the event.

She said: “Alice’s Day is now in its fifth colourful year and 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the first telling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, on a picnic by the River Thames at Godstow on July 4, 1862.

“We wanted to create something truly memorable and The Caucus Race, which is free to all, will be full of dance, music and unexpected happenings.”

It will take place at Merton Field, part of Christ Church – the same college where Lewis Carroll, AKA Charles Dodgson, was a maths tutor and where the original Alice (Liddell) also lived.

Ms Francis said: “Participants in the race will be joined by a strange array of creatures, from the Mad Hatter to the Cheshire Cat. The Story Museum is also partnering with Big Dance, so expect an unusual variety of dance styles, with plenty of opportunity to try out new and easy steps.”

Performers Cirque De Bijou will also be there to make sure the party goes with a swing and Ms Francis said visitors will be joined by schools, community projects and dance, theatre and music enthusiasts, keen to join the band, singers, and choirs performing between 2pm-5pm.

She said: “Everybody will be able to join in and everyone will be a winner at this madcap ‘sporting’ event with a difference.”

This year’s official Alice Day is on Saturday, July 7, and, as always, the celebrations are expected to attract visitors from all over the world.

Events on offer during the weekend include a series of exhibitions at The Story Museum, Christ Church, the Bodleian Library and the O3 Gallery.

There will be appearances by the National Storytelling Laureate Katrice Horsley; a 10-minute Alice musical and an Alice flotilla on the River Thames. Nearly all events are free.

  • For full information on all events and how to join the Caucus Race visit www.storymuseum.org.uk