It all began Friday (picture above) when the volunteers turned out to prepare Alexandra Park for the 2-day festival. The weather was grim but spirits were high that the weather would change. But it continued to rain throughout the day and got worse Saturday morning as groups decorated floats on Kings Road.
CHANGE
Then, dramatically, it stopped just as the parade was about to start at 1pm Saturday and got better as the weekend went along.
PARADE
Organisers said the parade was the best yet with many well designed floats. Indeed, so good were this years floats that judges couldn't decide which was best and decided to leave it till mid-week to analyse photos and videos. "Any one of eleven we chose could be a winner" said one Judge.
PARK EVENTS
Following the parade a stream of people filtered through through the park to watch the many events for the rest of day - which ended at 8pm.
Visitors saw many acts on the Main Stage and two 3-hour shows at the Lions Den from Trickety and the Filipino Association.
The dance troupes competed, and many other activities were well attended throughout the day.
SUNDAY
Things got into gear again the day after at 12 Noon with bands on the Main Stage, free camel rides - which had a never ending queue, free land train rides around the park and a Dog Show that attracted dog lovers from all over.
The Lion's Den held two more shows from the Indian Association Oldham and Integrated Youth Services.
The highlight of the day was a procession of Indian Association dancers making there way along the promenade towards the Lions Den - where they had a 3-hour show.
STREAM
Meanwhile, there was a continuous stream of people coming and going through the park gates for another fantastic day.
"We estimate that, throughout the 16 hour festival, about 30,000 people attended, possibly more" said Event Director Paul Davies. "And this, despite the weather threatening the whole day on Saturday. Just think what the numbers would have been had we had a decent weekend of weather".
"Its been the best carnival we've held so far and its living up to its billing as the Oldham's Flagship Festival. It was a real multi-cultural event."
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All Photos by Nigel Wood, Official Photographer
One of the many floats judges can't decide on as winner
The Parade in full swing
Paraders get into the swing of the weekend
Some of the thousands who watched the 24 live acts on the Main Stage throughout the two days
 The Dog Show was a real crowd puller
Dance Troupes brought dance and colour to the event
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