It's carnival time!

Thursday 09 August 2018

Barring a few final tweaks, preparations are now complete for the 25 floats which will take part in one of the main events in Jersey's calendar today: the annual Battle of Flowers. For the first time it will involve a Battle Ambassador, rather than the traditional Miss Battle, as the key figure in the parade.

Islanders are being reminded that heavy traffic is likely throughout today and tomorrow due to road closures, and are being advised to allow extra time for journeys.

Victoria Avenue will be closed in both directions between 09:15 and 18:30 today, and between 18:15 and 00:00 tomorrow for the Moonlight Parade. Other roads will be affected early this morning as the slow-moving floats are transported to the event, in particular Beaumont Hill, Queen’s Road, Trinity Hill, and through Georgetown.

St Clement’s road is also due to be closed to traffic at around 06:00 as a float travels the wrong way down it en route to Victoria Avenue. Although public buses will be operating as usual, with the exception of the closure of the West Park slipway stop, passengers are warned that delays are likely. 

There will be parking available in locations a short distance away from the arena, however the event organisers are advising attendees that using public transport or a taxi, where possible, may be the most efficient way to travel to and from the event.

Pictured: 25 floats will be taking part in this year's parade.

Having been run for over 100 years, the Jersey Battle of Flowers is one of the biggest and best-attended events in the island calendar, and is now one of the biggest flower carnivals in Europe.

25 floats will be exhibited in this year’s parade, inspired by everything from pop culture, to historical events, to foreign cultures. The charity being supported by the event this year is Variety the Children’s Charity, which will receive some of the proceeds from the sales of programs and donations from the public.  

In a break from tradition, the title of ‘Miss Battle’ and celebrity guest ‘Mr Battle’ have been replaced by a Battle of Flowers ambassador, in an effort to make the title more accessible and inclusive.

Previous ‘Mr Battle’ reps include Keiran Bracken, rugby player and ‘dancing on ice’ star, and celebrity chef Marco-Pierre White. This year, the ambassadors are Arcadia Lockhart, and runner-up Lucie Hosking, whilst the Junior Battle of Flowers ambassadors are Tobias Hosking and runner-up Chelsea Birch. They will be riding on the ‘It’s carnival time’ float, exhibited by Battle of Flowers Events Ltd. 

Additional attractions this year include live music playing in the lower park alongside the Avenue, from 16:30 today and from 20:00 on Friday.

A spectacular finale is planned to close Friday’s Moonlight Parade, in the form of a performance from aerobatic team aeroSPARX, who last visited in 2016, alongside the usual firework display.