Jersey's Battle of Flowers

On August 9^th, 1902, the island of Jersey set out to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The parade was such a success that they continued it as an annual tradition. They called it the Festival of Flowers -- a name that comes from the old days of the parade, where flowers were thrown off of horse-drawn floral floats in hopes that a lady in the crowd would throw one back.

The Battle of Flowers' Grand Day Parade is typically held at the beginning of August and although the aspect of throwing flowers stopped in 1964, the celebration has kept its name and has brought in over 1,000,000 visitors since its inception. Its machine-motored floats can stand up to 45 feet long and are only revealed on the day of the Festival. Although the event represents mostly community and island pride, the art and design aspsect has become a major contest.

In warehouses and sheds around the Island, clubs, associations and families of all age groups and backgrounds can be seen working on floats for months leading up to the parade. Many work hard to be recognized for awards such as Best Set Design, Best Costume, Best Animation and the most sought after, Prix D'Honneur.

The celebration doesn't end there! The community also enjoys live entertainment, a Battle Funfair, voting for Mr and Miss Battle and on the evening after, the organizers hold a second Moonlight Parade. While the floats are the same, you get to see them in a different light – or dark. Here the floats are illuminated by thousands of tiny lights to give spectators a truly magical and somewhat carnival-esque experience. It's here that people take the chance to party well into the evening.

For more details about tickets, dates and times for this year's Battle of Flowers, check out the main website.

Photo courtesy:

PICT3019jpg, Float, Dave Farmer, Flickr

Policeman and Girl, Alex Fearn, Flickr