Jersey Battle of Flowers
| Battle of Flowers | |
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'Beyond the Barricade' by The Optimists Club, winners in 2013 of the Prix d'Honneur, The Spectators' Award, Best Illuminated float over 25ft, Clubs & Associations and winner of Class 11
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| Location(s) | Jersey |
| Years active | 114 |
| Inaugurated | August 9, 1902 |
| Website | |
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The Jersey Battle of Flowers is an annual carnival held in the Channel Island of Jersey in the second Thursday of August. The festival consists of music, funfairs, dancers, majorettes and a parade of flower floats alongside various street entertainers. It was inaugurated in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The largest attendance to date is thought to be that of 1969, when 60,000 people were present. While current spectator numbers are around 20,000.
The major floats are usually produced by the parishes of Jersey.
The 'Battle' itself originally consisted of dismantling the floats to provide floral ammunition for a literal battle of flowers between participants and spectators, but this aspect has long been abandoned. Since 1989, a nighttime Moonlight Parade with the floats festooned in lights has been introduced. The Moonlight Parade ends with a large fireworks display. Recent years have seen higher turnout to the moonlight parade, which is particularly enjoyed by locals as well as tourists, as it has a great party atmosphere.
The first Battle of Flowers was held on 9 August 1902 on Victoria Avenue, Saint Helier. The First World War interrupted the tradition and it was not until 1928 that the Battle was revived at Springfield where it was held until 1938. The threat of war meant the 1939 event was abandoned and it was not until 1951 that the event was revived back on Victoria Avenue, where it was held for many years on the last Thursday in July (since moved to its current date).
In 1964 the event was attended by around 50,000 people.
Prizes are awarded in numerous categories, with their names in French, for floats of different sizes and types. Listed here are the main prizes with the Prix d’Honneur being the overall winner.
Winners at the 2016 Battle of Flowers included:
Winners at the 2015 Battle of Flowers included:
Winners at the 2014 Battle of Flowers included:
Winners at the 2013 Battle included:
Winners at the 2012 Battle included:
Winners at the 2011 Battle included:
. Spectators Award : Parish of St.Clement - Wonderland
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Wikipedia