Jersey Battle of Flowers

Jersey Battle of Flowers (c) Jersey Battle of Flowers (p) GoUK.com

What

Jersey Battle of Flowers

When

9 and 10 August 2012

Where

Jersey Battle of Flowers, St Helier

The Fanfare

The annual Jersey Battle of Flowers on the Channel Island of Jersey is the biggest floral event of its kind in Europe, and sometimes described as Europe’s own Rio Carnival.

On the afternoon of 9 August many flower-covered floats up to 14 metres (45ft) long will parade though the small island’s capital of St Helier with local and overseas music bands joining the parade.

The following night, a moonlight parade of floats with flowers and millions of lights takes place, followed by a display of fireworks.

The floats come from the different parishes on the island and compete for the major award, the Prix d’Honneur.

In the weeks leading up to the event Jersey islanders work millions of dried flowers and grasses into intricate designs and patterns.

On the eve of the carnival they work through the night to add many thousands of fresh flowers to the designs and decorate the floats.

Last year 27 floral floats took part in the procession.

The Battle of Flowers first took place in 1902 to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII.

The event’s name comes from the days when those on the floats would hurl flowers into the crowd, who would throw them back.

Jersey

• The island of Jersey, near the coast of France, is a British Crown Dependency, a self-governing island with its own sterling banknotes and coins.
• It is not part of the European Union, or part of the United Kingdom.
• Its official language is English but the streets are named in French.
• There are fast ferry services (under four hours) from the south coast of England and regular scheduled flights from over 25 UK regional airports.
• The island will be the most southerly stop on the London 2012 Olympic torch relay around the British Isles.
• The flame will travel along Jersey’s south coast on 15 July.

The Battle of Flowers Grand Day Parade takes place on Thursday 9 August 2.30pm–5pm approx, and the Moonlight Parade on 10 August 9pm–10.45pm approx.

Tickets will be on sale from February.

Jersey Battle of Flowers, St Helier

Tel: +44 1534 730178
Website: www.jersey.com
www.battleofflowers.com
YouTube: Jersey Battle of Flowers