Battle sheds across the Island are entering the final frantic days of preparations as the countdown begins for the event’s long-awaited return to Victoria Avenue.
With less than a week to go until the Battle of Flowers, thousands of stems are arriving, costumes are being finished and rehearsals are under way ahead of the Grand Parade on Friday 14 August.
The Moonlight Parade will follow on Saturday 15 August. Entry to both parades will be free, marking the first time the event has been held on its traditional route since 2024.
“We really need an army of people to come up and help us”
Among those facing a busy few days is the St Clement’s Association, which is preparing to put 20,000 stems into water as work ramps up on its Rio Carnival-themed float.
The team has this year been working from Meadowbank in St Lawrence – a “real luxury” for an association which has never previously had a permanent home.
Association chair Graham Gibson said: “We’re in a much stronger position than we have been in previous years. That has been because we have been able to work in Meadowbank for the whole year.”
However, working outside St Clement has made it harder to attract parishioners to help, particularly younger and older members of the community who may struggle with transport.
The flowers were due to arrive shortly after Express visited the site.
“That’s a big push, as we have got 20,000 stems. It’s a lot, around 500 buckets to fill. We really need an army of people to come up and help us,” said Mr Gibson.
After winning the Carnival Atmosphere Award for the past two years, the team has used that success as inspiration for its 2026 effort. Its junior float, meanwhile, will be inspired by Disney’s Aladdin and use paper flowers.
Mr Gibson said the team was overjoyed to be returning to the Avenue, describing it as the “true rightful home of battle” and saying this year’s event is “going to be bigger, free and even more entertaining”.
He added: “It’s so nice to be part of a wider battle team. The camaraderie, the friendship that you’ve got with people, that you’ve been doing battle with for many, many years.
“We spend a lot of time looking at old photos and talking about people who are no longer with us and remembering old stories.”
“We hope Islanders come down and support the work”
Steve Bouchard, a member of perennial Prix d’Honneur winners Optimists Club and vice-chairman of the Battle of Flowers Association, is also urging Islanders to support the event.
“It’s a great day out and it’s free. There isn’t much you get nowadays for free so we hope Islanders come down and support the work we have done for the past 11 months to make it all happen,” he said.
Describing the final preparations, he added: “The flowers have just arrived, so it’s manic to get them all into water, broken down, clear the rubbish.
“Then we’ve got dance rehearsals, dress rehearsals, finish off all the costumes, and then we will start flowering.”
The Optimists’ float this year is based on Disney’s Brave, featuring Princess Merida, bagpipes, bears and Castle DunBroch.
Mr Bouchard said the return to the Avenue could help recreate the atmosphere of previous years.
“It’s a one-pass parade, with people on both sides, so we’re hoping that it’s going to regenerate the atmosphere we had in town,” he said.
“We are very excited to return to the Avenue”
Ollivro Family and Friends are slightly further ahead, having already finished flowering their junior float and reached the skirt of their senior entry.
Their senior float will put a spin on The Jungle Book, while the junior entry is inspired by KPop Demon Hunters.
Rachel Ollivro said: “We are proud to have a diverse team and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate.”
She added: “We are very excited to return to the Avenue. This is our roots and for our team this will relive a lot of pressure as this allows us as exhibitors more space and a clear line.”
Entertainment for the Grand Parade will begin at 2pm on Friday, ahead of the parade at 3pm.
Pre-parade entertainment for Saturday’s Moonlight Parade will begin at 7.45pm, with the illuminated procession starting at 8.45pm.
