FLAMBOYANT rainbow-splashed costumes and giant glittering props will float through the heart of East Oxford tomorrow.

Tens of thousands of revellers are set to be amazed by the hundreds of procession performers who will dance to their own tunes under the summer heat.

More than 800 performers, representing schools, groups and organisations from across the county, will flaunt their best moves as they make the street their stage during the Cowley Road Carnival.

Procession coordinator Anya Fox said performers have spent months crafting their awe-inspiring costumes to celebrate this year’s carnival theme All the World’s A Stage – commemorating playwright William Shakespeare.

Ms Fox, who has organised the carnival highlight for the past five years, added: “I’m looking forward to it. I think the schools particularly have really upped their game this year.

“I love seeing all the kids having a good time and looking out for everyone and seeing what they have done.

“One of the things I love about this is it’s not competitive. Everyone can just be part of it and for some schools, it’s a rite of passage. I’m so very proud of them. It’s a real opportunity for people to show what they are all about. With such a diverse community, it’s about celebrating and sharing that.”

Cowley Road will be brought to life by procession performers at 2pm, when they will parade from The Plain roundabout towards St Mary and St John Church.

Oxford Mail:

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Mohammed Altaf-Khan, is set to lead the extravagant procession, with merrymakers being urged to keep their eyes peeled for his carnival surprise.

Bands including Horns of Plenty and Sol Samba will get the party spirit well and truly buzzing with their toe-tapping music, while children, their parents and staff from Larkrise Primary School will thrill with their samba band.

A first-time appearance from youngsters at Blackbird Leys’ Pegasus Primary School is set to stun crowds of spectators, along with a spectacle from group Rose Hill Runners.

Barry Davies, landlord at Crown Street’s the Black Swan, said punters will be treated to Country and Western-themed festivities to coincide with the nearby carnival celebrations.

There will also be the chance to call by four official bars at this year’s carnival, which will be based on the car park area near The Bullingdon and in Manzil Way.

The walled garden at the top of Manzil Way will be magically transformed into family paradise Dingley Dell, where there will be a Prosecco bar for revellers and a teddy bears’ picnic area.

There, festival-goers will enjoy an afternoon crammed with lively dancers including special guests 2Faced Dance Company who will be performing Kapow, presented by Dancin’ Oxford and Oxford Playhouse.

Dancin’ Oxford’s Claire Thompson said: “Look forward to phenomenal dance, vibrant costumes and audience interaction.

“Witness the inaugural Superhero Games when three of Planet Earth’s greatest superheroes battle it out for the title of Most Supreme Superhero Ever. “There’ll be goodies, baddies, quick changes and finally a superhero.”

Live bands will rock the crowds at the three music stages in The Bullingdon car park area, where there will also be fairground rides and snacks.

Relaxing tunes will blast from the Fresh Range Roots reggae stage, while The Simple Stage will return for the 10th year.

ROAD CLOSURES

ORGANISERS of the Cowley Road Carnival are encouraging festival-goers to visit the celebrations by foot, bus or bike.

Cowley Road Works said Cowley Road will be closed to traffic from 8am to 7pm, from The Plain roundabout to Magdalen Road.

Dawson Street, Chapel Street and Manzil Way will also be closed to traffic during the event.

Union Street car park, which is behind the Tesco Metro store, will be closed for carnival activities, while limited parking will be available at St Clement’s car park.

There will be extra bike lock areas opposite St Mary and St John Church, as well as on Union Street.

Stagecoach Oxfordshire said passengers should board in Iffley Road as its 1, 10 and 12 services will be diverted through Iffley Road, then Church Cowley Road, joining the normal route at Between Towns Road.

The festivities are set to begin at noon and come to an end at 5pm.