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Thousands more tickets were sold for this year’s “reinvigorated” Battle of Flowers featuring a three-day concert, according to organisers.
18,000 tickets were sold for the two-day event last year.
But this year’s event, which took place over three days and aimed to attract a larger audience to Victoria Avenue and Lower Park with the help of Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, Wet Wet Wet's Marti Pellow and a Queen tribute band, is estimated to have seen ticket sales of 22,000.
It comes after Express revealed last week that the previously loss-making flower festival benefited from a £270,000 Government funding boost – nearly double its previous funding of £150,000 in 2023.
This year's Battle of Flowers also marked the first time "in a generation" that all 12 parishes entered a float into the festival, which saw The Optimists Club take the biggest prize, The Prix d'Honneur, with their Moana themed float.
Speaking to Express last week, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said Government would be "watching and working closely with organisers to see the funding is spent properly, and the Battle does improve in terms of the offering and the number of people watching".
Battle Chair Russell Labey, who thanked attendees for their “overwhelmingly positive” response as well as the work of exhibitors and supporters, said:“We could tell our audience were having a good time by the atmosphere in the arena and how they embraced concert finales to both parades. Exhibitors once again raised their game; the standard of floats excelled.”
He added that he was "proud" to be working on a "five-year plan to reinvigorate and revitalise Battle".
"We can’t do it all in one go, but every year we will implement innovations. However, it does feel like we have arrived at the right template from which to develop," he said.
Pictured: The extra musical and entertainment performances attracted thousands to Lower Park
He added that he was grateful for the Economic Development Department's funding, as well as their "encouragement and ideas”.
“If Battle is deemed a success this year, it’s right that we share credit with our partners in the Government of Jersey. There’s opportunities for the Island’s commercial sector to come on board too. There’s space for a sponsor to put their name above our impressive new concert stage for all to see, we’d love them to talk to us", he added.
“Change doesn’t stop with the parades, we need to improve the organisation’s governance and seek to appoint a new board of trustees, before the year is out, fresh eyes from the Island’s business community, please get in touch."
The situation is a marked contrast from that of the Jersey International Air Display, which warned over Battle weekend that there were just days to rescue its 2024 showcase.
Numerous aircraft are already booked, but organisers said they were £50,000 short on funding, with the contribution from Government having fallen over the years.
Prior to the latest push, the fundraising total was just under £9,000 – now, at the time of writing, it stands at just under £20,000. Islanders wishing to make a donation can do so here.
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Exclusive: £270k grant from public purse to help Battle blossom again
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All 12 parishes set to feature in this year's Battle of Flowers parade
Queen tribute band announced for Battle of Flowers
LISTEN: Islander to support Wet Wet Wet star at Battle of Flowers concert
WATCH: Wet Wet Wet's Marti Pellow announced as BoF summer headliner
WATCH: Eurovision star Sam Ryder to perform at Battle of Flowers
Northern Parishes Battle association formed
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