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Organisers of the 'Battle of Flowers Festival of Lights' - which had been planned as an alternative to the traditional floral parades - have now called it off saying that covid restrictions make it too risky to go ahead.
They're concerned that if the pandemic forces them to cancel at the last minute, they could be left unable to cover their costs, particularly if fewer visitors in the island this summer hits ticket sales.
The Battle Board announced in March that the traditional parades wouldn't be going ahead - for the first time outside the war years - describing a "period of great uncertainty and anxiety."
Then this weekend, they announced the decision to call off the planned Festival of Lights too.
"An event of this size and nature involves an enormous amount of prior planning and financial commitment, which we have not been able to commit to up to this point. Despite the encouraging news that the Island is slowly emerging from the Covid-:19 restrictions, there still remain a number of ‘uncertainties’ that has led us to take this difficult decision.
"While the Government has indicated that large-scale public events may be able to proceed as from 14th June, there is still no certainty regarding what restrictions may still be in place or what may be introduced in August. With a new virus strain emerging on the Island, this may impact on the volumes of people allowed to attend, making it unviable to hold the parades.
"With the significant possibility of reduced attendance numbers, it is likely this would result in insufficient revenue to cover such our costs."
Jackie Donald, Event Director, also said that the ongoing covid restrictions had meant that exhibitors had found it much tougher to raise funds.
"We have monitored, assessed and sought to mitigate the constraints and uncertainties involved in staging the Parades and now reluctantly conclude it would be irresponsible to press on, and to risk the longer term financial viability of our organisation without the ability to underwrite and to offset the potential, substantial economic losses associated with a last minute cancellation that maybe necessary if there are changes in Public Health policies”.
The Jersey Battle of Flowers Board has said that some form of celebration, such as a Halloween and/or Christmas Parades may still be able to go ahead, and that they are "hopeful" the traditional funfair in Peoples’ Park, operated by Funtasia Funfairs, will still happen.
This will be the second year in a row that the Battle has had to be cancelled. 2022 will mark 120 years since the first event.
Pictured: a float in the 2017 Christmas Parade, which may still be able to take place this year.
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