Cowley Road Carnival date set for September
The Oxford event hasn't been able to run for five years
Cowley Road Carnival have announced the event will return to Cowley in Oxford on Sunday 1st September.
The Carnival last ran in 2019, after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid Pandemic. It took a break to consider it's future in 2022 according to organisers and it didn't run last year, due to a shortfall of funds of £20,000.
With street parties, floats, steel bands and local artists, the group Cowley Road Works have organised the event for the past 20 years.
Organisers say this years theme for the floats and parade is "Our Nature, Our Future.”
Artistic Director Pax Nindi says, "This year, we will continue with the use of eco-friendly floats for the procession and recycled materials for costume-making, as well as encourage sustainability. We are serious about green issues in creativity, and even the project we are doing with BMW Mini plant apprentices working with a Carnival artist is all eco-friendly."
They say in line with the theme they plan to promote sustainable practices throughout the Carnival.
This includes eco-friendly floats and costumes, as participants are encouraged to use recycled materials for their designs. A judging panel will select the best float designs a week before the Carnival, with winners announced during a 'Virtual Carnival.'
They'll be a project with BMW Mini plant apprentices showcasing how industrial collaboration can be both artistic and environmentally conscious.