Latest news with #BattleofFlowers
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jersey Battle of Flowers 2025 dates confirmed
Dates for a new look Battle of Flowers in Jersey have been announced by organisers. Jersey Battle of Flowers (Parades) Ltd said the 2025 event would take place on 8 and 9 August with two free parades going through St Helier town centre. The future of the annual event was cast into doubt due to concerns about costs after it was revealed the 2024 edition had overspent by about £150,000. Organisers said while 2025 would look different to previous years, including having smaller floats, the team was already looking ahead to future events and hoped to return the Battle to its traditional home of Victoria Avenue in 2026. The event was first held in 1902 and is known for its floral floats and dancers which take part in a parade. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey This year's event will feature 30ft (9.1m) floats instead of the 45ft (13.7m) floats in previous years, organisers said. They added more than 20 floats would feature in the event alongside bands, dancers and local entertainers. Festivities are set to begin on 8 August with a Day Parade before a Moonlight Parade held a day later, with the exact start times to be confirmed. Jersey Battle of Flowers (Parades) Ltd said it was working with the Battle 2026 Strategy Group to look at plans for the event's future. Among the plans is a move to bring the event back to Victoria Avenue, which would mean 45ft (13.7m) floats could return. "We're focused firmly on the road ahead – revitalising the event, ensuring its sustainability, and creating even more magical moments for Jersey and our visitors," a spokesperson for the strategy group said. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Battle of Flowers 'will return to its roots' Battle of Flowers not happening - breakaway group Jersey Battle of Flowers in doubt for this summer Battle of Flowers will be supported, minister says Special meeting called over Battle finances Battle of Flowers
Axios
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Fiesta parades: Your guide to Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau
Friday is the day — students will be out of school, downtown streets will be full of shouts to " show me your shoes," and everyone will be crossing their fingers for the rain to stay away. Why it matters: The Battle of Flowers Parade draws what feels like the whole city of San Antonio to a small section of downtown for Fiesta's final weekend. Well, maybe not quite that many. But more than half a million people are expected to gather. Here's what you need to know to navigate the Friday morning parade and the nighttime Fiesta Flambeau Parade on Saturday. When to go Friday, Battle of Flowers: The vanguard will kick things off at 9:55am, followed by a 10:30am parade start time. Saturday, Flambeau: The vanguard gets going at 7:15pm, with the parade starting at 7:45pm. If you go: Plan to show up well ahead of time for both events, and allow extra time for travel. Taking a VIA bus or a ride-hailing service downtown are good options, as parking will be limited. But here's a map of downtown parking options, for those who insist. Plus: Parade streets will close beginning 6am Friday and 2:30pm Saturday. They will reopen by 3pm Friday and midnight on Sunday. Weather Unfortunately, the forecast is not looking optimal. Rain could affect the parades, but forecasts are still uncertain. Light drizzle is possible for Battle of Flowers, with higher rain chances later Friday and Saturday morning. Odds are lower for rain during Fiesta Flambeau, according to KSAT. It'll be a good idea to grab an umbrella with your Fiesta crown. Route This year's route is the same for both parades. How it works: It will start near San Antonio College at North Main Avenue and East Locust Street. The route then heads down Main into downtown. It will pass by Madison Square Park, over the River Walk, past Alamo Plaza and then wind back over the San Antonio River again. It ends at Santa Rosa and East Martin streets on the west side of downtown. Tickets While you don't necessarily need tickets to see the parades, having them guarantees that you'll get a good view and a spot on the bleachers. Nearby bars Fiesta experts know that the Bonham Exchange after the Battle of Flowers Parade is tradition, but it's not the only place to keep the party going.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New smaller Jersey Battle of Flowers 'will return to its roots'
A breakaway committee set up to try and save the Battle of Flowers says a smaller, free version of the event is to go ahead with support from a government grant. Martyn Maguire, who leads the Battle Strategy Group, said: "We're going to take battle back to its roots, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it."Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel confirmed that up to £220,000 was available, contingent on a "good business plan".He said: "Having a battle which is constrained in terms of its funding will enable people to focus a lot harder, stick to their budgets a lot better, and create a battle which people will be really proud of and enjoy." Earlier this week, accounts for the Battle of Flowers were leaked, showing significant 2024, there was a deficit of more than £150,000 on top of a loss in 2023 of more than £80, week also saw the Battle Strategy Group meet with Morel and exhibitors to try and find a way forward for the event. Martyn Maguire confirmed there were plans to stage the event in August as normal, with a day parade on Friday 8 and a night parade on Saturday 9. 'Debts need settled' He said: "We are getting close to getting battle out of the woods."Obviously debts need to be settled. Battle does have some assets - we're going to use those to secure against the debt, and then hopefully we'll get that behind us, but it's going to take time."We're only going to spend what we've got. We know what we're doing. We've got a lot of very experienced exhibitors on the team."We're going to take battle back to its roots. We're going to put on a really good parade with lots of things in the parade, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it". Speaking to the BBC, Morel said all parties were working together to find a way to hold a said: "It won't be the main type of parade down the avenue, but something through town on a smaller scale, using junior floats and the smaller floats."I'll only give that money on receipt of a good business plan. And so that's the next stage for the group involved is to create that business plan and bring that forward. "What we're talking about is a much smaller event, a free event, and one I think that could help to reinvigorate the battle and that feeling of bringing it closer to the community." In a statement, the current Board of the Jersey Battle of Flowers said it remained "committed to working with stakeholders to resolve outstanding financial obligations", and that it "fully supports the Battle Strategy Group as it takes the reins in planning future battle events".
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Battle of Flowers cancelled: What do people think?
Members of the public, people involved and politicians have been reacting to the cancellation of Jersey's 2025 Battle of Flowers. Organisers announced on Friday the event, which was first held in 1902, would not go ahead due to financial difficulties including a £150,000 overspend in 2024. The Battle Strategy Group, a breakaway committee from the organisation, has promised to hold a smaller version of the event for islanders this year. Jersey's chief minister and former battle chair, Lyndon Farnham, said the event "needs a complete recalibration, both logistically and financially, following the lessons learnt from 2024". Chris Bidan's family has been making floats for battle for generations said the cancellation was "devastating". "I'm a little bit disappointed this has happened and if things had been done slightly differently things might have been okay," he said. "Until we know the full extent or where the money has gone we won't know about battle moving forwards. "We want to keep it going." Martyn Maguire leads the Battle Strategy Group breakaway committee and said the financial situation of the event was "unclear". "We are in a difficult situation where we don't know what our bottom line is financially," he said. "The board aren't talking to us, we are waiting for an AGM (annual general meeting) to happen. "We cannot let this happen again." He added: "As a group of exhibitors we promise we will put something on for islanders. "We are desperate to keep it going, we want to keep it going, in fact we will keep it going." Russell Labey, the chairman of the Battle of Flowers, said the decision was "disappointing" but it was "sensible to take the time to secure a lasting future for the event". Sheena Ferrand said she has spent £400 on flights to bring her granddaughters to the island in August to see the Battle of Flowers. She lived in Jersey for 30 years before moving to Scotland in 2014 and said the trip was about nostalgia. "When we lived there we went all the time as my daughter was always involved in the parade," she said. She said her daughter, who was born in Jersey, was "absolutely devastated" by the event's cancellation as she was looking forward to showing it to her own children. Ms Ferrand added that they were still planning on visiting the island and hoped other events would be taking place. Connétable of Grouville, Mark Labey, said the cancellation of the event was a "tragedy". "It's part of our heritage, it's part of our history, it's part of a lot of people's lives," he said. "There are many individuals around the island that spend over 1000 hours a year making these floats. "I'm sure there will be a lot of people who have been heavily involved with battle for many years that will be very disappointed." Jersey resident Imogen Brooks was asked for her thoughts and said: "I think it's definitely a shame, a lot of families look forward to it, it's kind of a part of the Jersey calendar. "It's something that gets passed down from generation to generation. "People grow up doing it and then their kids end up doing it. I think it will be a loss for Jersey for sure." Cheif Minister Lyndon Farnham said he was disappointed but "not altogether surprised". "I'm confident battle will return in 2026 and they can be assured of the government's continued support moving forward," he said. Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said the "right way forward" needed to be found. "We understand the battle's deep significance for many islanders, and we are working with the battle to secure its long-term future," he said. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Battle of Flowers Battle of Flowers not happening - breakaway group Jersey Battle of Flowers in doubt for this summer Battle of Flowers will be supported, minister says Special meeting called over Battle finances
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Battle of Flowers cancelled: What do people think?
Members of the public, people involved and politicians have been reacting to the cancellation of Jersey's 2025 Battle of Flowers. Organisers announced on Friday the event, known as battle, which has been held since 1902, would not go ahead due to financial difficulties including a £150,000 overspend in Battle Strategy Group, a breakaway committee from the organisation, has promised to hold a smaller version of the event for islanders this year. Jersey's chief minister and former battle chair, Lyndon Farnham, said the event "needs a complete recalibration, both logistically and financially, following the lessons learnt from 2024". Chris Bidan's family has been making floats for battle for generations said the cancellation was "devastating". "I'm a little bit disappointed this has happened and if things had been done slightly differently things might have been okay," he said. "Until we know the full extent or where the money has gone we won't know about battle moving forwards."We want to keep it going." Martyn Maguire leads the Battle Strategy Group breakaway committee and said the financial situation of the event was "unclear"."We are in a difficult situation where we don't know what our bottom line is financially," he said."The board aren't talking to us, we are waiting for an AGM (annual general meeting) to happen. "We cannot let this happen again." He added: "As a group of exhibitors we promise we will put something on for islanders. "We are desperate to keep it going, we want to keep it going, in fact we will keep it going."Russell Labey, the chairman of the Battle of Flowers, said the decision was "disappointing" but it was "sensible to take the time to secure a lasting future for the event". Connétable of Grouville, Mark Labey, said the cancellation of the event was a "tragedy"."It's part of our heritage, it's part of our history, it's part of a lot of people's lives," he said. "There are many individuals around the island that spend over 1000 hours a year making these floats."I'm sure there will be a lot of people who have been heavily involved with battle for many years that will be very disappointed." Jersey resident Imogen Brooks was asked for her thoughts and said: "I think it's definitely a shame, a lot of families look forward to it, it's kind of a part of the Jersey calendar."It's something that gets passed down from generation to generation."People grow up doing it and then their kids end up doing it. I think it will be a loss for Jersey for sure." 'Deep significance' Cheif Minister Lyndon Farnham said he was disappointed but "not altogether surprised"."I'm confident battle will return in 2026 and they can be assured of the government's continued support moving forward," he for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said the "right way forward" needed to be found."We understand the battle's deep significance for many islanders, and we are working with the battle to secure its long-term future," he said.
