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All 12 parishes set to feature in this year's Battle of Flowers parade

All 12 parishes set to feature in this year's Battle of Flowers parade

Monday 29 July 2024

All 12 parishes set to feature in this year's Battle of Flowers parade

Monday 29 July 2024


This year's Battle of Flowers will see all 12 parishes involved for the first time in a generation – and islanders are being urged to get involved.

The 2024 carnival will be marked by the return of St Ouen and St Mary after a long hiatus, and the formation of a 'Northern Alliance' between St Martin, St John, and Trinity.

Under the guidance of designer Marcus Davies, the St Ouen and St Mary team is creating a float themed 'The Owl and The Pussy Cat' based on Edward Lear's poem of the same name.

The team is calling for volunteers to help bring this vision to life at Labey Farms in St Ouen, with organisers saying that everyone is welcome.

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Pictured: Kimberly Reddy of the St Ouen and St Mary float team. 

Battle Chairman Russell Labey said: "Starting from scratch with a fully floral 50-foot float is a big ask.

"The approach we've adopted is, 'build it and they will come'; well, we're building it, so please come along."

Meanwhile, St Martin, St John and Trinity have joined up to form the 'Northern Alliance' in a bid to pool resources and volunteers after individual parishes struggled to put together floats following dwindling numbers. 

Collette Bisson, Chair of the Alliance, explained: "The alliance has proved to be a very successful move.

"It has achieved its aim of bringing together a larger pool of volunteers with a wider range of skills."

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Pictured: Sam Ryder came second in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, bringing the event to the UK for the first time since 1998. 

The northern parishes will present two floats: a junior float titled 'Hatful of Dreams' inspired by the 2023 film Wonka, and a senior float called 'Ile de Jersey' that reflects on the island's tourism heyday.

Ms Bisson encouraged islanders to get involved with helping to create the floats at Bouley Bay quarry, near the top of Bouley Bay hill.

Event organisers are also calling for volunteer marshals for the Grand Parade on 9 August,  the Moonlight Parade on 10 August, and a concert on 11 August. 

Volunteers will receive free entry to events they assist at, as well as complimentary meals.

This year's Battle of Flowers will feature performances by Eurovision star Sam Ryder on the Friday and former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow on the Sunday.

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Pictured: Marti Pellow will be the headline act for the Sunday concert.

Meanwhile, the Moonlight Parade on the Saturday will be headlined by UK Queen, a Queen tribute act featuring Jersey-born lead guitarist Johnny Senett.

In preparation for the festival, the Battle of Flowers team has also launched an island-wide roadshow to connect with supporters and assist with ticket purchases.

Those interested in volunteering can email arena@battleofflowers.com or click HERE for more information.

READ MORE...

Queen tribute band announced as Battle of Flowers headliner

Northern Parishes Battle association formed

WATCH: Eurovision star Sam Ryder to perform at Battle of Flowers

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