Shropshire Star

Sun shines on Oakengates carnival festivities

More than 15,000 people descended on Oakengates for the town's second annual carnival.

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Organisers said there was a real "party atmosphere" in the Telford town, with the sun shining throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Ian Barton, a member of the organising committee, said final figures had not been calculated but he expected it to easily top the turnout for last year's carnival - the first held in the town for 28 years.

He said: "I reckon we had between 12,000 and 14,000 last year. We have had 15,000 easily, maybe 16,000.

"We are absolutely delighted, Saturday was an awesome day.

"I would like to pay tribute to the organising committee and volunteers who have done some outstanding work over the past three or four days.

"It was a beautiful day, everyone was smiling and there was a real party mood around the town."

Telford MP David Wright also attended the carnival on Saturday.

He also attended Saturday's Dawley Day festivities alongside his predecessor Lord Grocott.

"Oakengates Carnival has been a revelation in the last couple of years," said Mr Wright

"It was absolutely packed again this year and the range of activities and events laid on by the volunteers there is absolutely outstanding.

"The weather was kind as well, there was a patch of sunshine on top of Telford all day."

Saturday began with a parade and floats leaving Wombridge Church at 12.30pm and making its way through the town to Hartshill Park, where a host of activities were taking place, including martial arts displays, marching bands and a funfair.

On Saturday night live bands took to the stage to put on a show with The Mariachis, who shot to fame on the Walkers Doritos adverts, the biggest names.

Tribute bands to Guns and Roses and UB40 also featured.

The festivities continued into Sunday, with X Factor stars Joseph Whelan, from Wolverhampton, and Jessica Beckett singing for fans.

There were also Robbie Williams and Olly Murs tribute acts, a fun fair, bars, stalls and sideshows.

Organiser Ian Barton said Sunday had been "fantastic".

"There's more rides this year and more acts," he added. "We have tried to make it bigger and better and we believe the sunshine has helped us."

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