“OXFORD at its most fantastic.” That was the verdict of organisers of today's Carnival in the Park as thousands flocked to East Oxford for a big party.

Two events were held to replace the Cowley Road Carnival, which was cancelled earlier this year because of organisational problems.

But carnival spirit was still in the air and about 8,000 people turned up to enjoy the event.

Henrietta Gill, Carnival in the Park co-ordinator, said: “We felt it was not safe or possible to get back on the Cowley Road this year, as it is a difficult road to close properly.

“Everybody decided that having a celebration was very important and this seemed like a natural choice.

“I really think this is just Oxford at its most fantastic.

“It is a shame we are not on Cowley Road, but everyone is mixing, everyone is chilling and there is so much to see and do.”

An hour-long parade took place in South Park, and stalls and workshops lined Cowley Road.

Thousands of people watched as the procession made its way down the hill of the park and finished at the dance stage.

Throughout the day, 120 people performed on the dance stage, along with music from local bands and a folk and acoustic area.

Meanwhile, along Cowley Road, the Carnival Fringe drew a string of visitors.

Stalls lined the road, along with circus workshops and a teddy bear’s picnic. There was also a market area in Stockmore Street.

Organiser Erica Steinhauer said: “It is really like a big garden fete, certainly the same budget. It has been lovely – a really incredible day. More than anything, we have had something going on up Cowley Road — we have kept the tradition alive.”

The day was organised by Plain Traders — a group of businesses along the bottom of Cowley Road — and raised cash for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), which works to save the endangered species.

Ms Steinhauer said: “We all chipped in with the money, it’s a real community sort of thing. I think it certainly was a wake-up call that you can’t just cancel a carnival.”

Rhiannon Lewis, 29, was with Windmill School, Headington, during the Carnival in the Park parade. She said: “The children had a great time and kept smiling throughout.

“I think it is really great for all of the children to get together and see the other schools and what they are doing — it is a real sense of community.”

Alison Hawkins, 26, from Headington, said: “The parade was amazing, with all the different schools and the effort, especially for the children as a lot of the costumes were made by the children.”

Ms Gill hopes the Cowley Road Carnival will be back next year.