Cowley Road Carnival will be celebrated city-wide as residents are encouraged to decorate homes as carnival floats or throw street parties.

The festivities, which take place on July 4, will be complemented by a repeat of last year’s virtual carnival on music streaming service Mixcloud.

There will be also be a live stream of music, performances and parties on YouTube and Facebook from noon to 6pm hosted by the carnival’s creative director Pax Nindi.

And the party will continue with DJ sets on Mixcloud throughout the evening.

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This year’s theme is Mother Earth and Cowley Road Works (CRW), the charity which organises the carnival, is offering among other prizes the best decorated House Float and a special prize for residents who best illustrate the theme.

CRW chairman Mark Crampton-Smith said: “This is the time for residents to start planning how they are going to decorate their home or business premises.

“We are negotiating some exciting prizes and we want residents doing House Floats to go completely wild with as many decorations as they can muster.”

Mr Nindi added: “What is also very important is our aim to support local artists, most of whom haven’t had work since the pandemic started.

“We are encouraging potential House Float makers to engage these artists in designing or constructing the House Floats.

“We encourage residents to get in touch with us if they need artist assistance.”

The carnival programme will have a map showing where the House Floats will be.

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Organisers also want residents to celebrate with a street party with friends, family and neighbours and have tips on how to organise one on the website.

CRW charity director Sean Duvall said: “We are aware people really want to celebrate not just carnival but freedom from lockdowns.”

And he advised: “We urge you to get planning soon as possible, because if you need a road closure licence from Oxford City Council, you have to apply by May 22.

“It isn’t expensive or complicated. Then the fun can really begin!"

See cowleyroadworks.org or email admin@cowleyroardworks.org

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