About Battle
In 1902 to celebrate the Coronation of Kind Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra Jersey decided to hold a parade. The event was so successful that it was decided to repeat it the following year and a tradition was established. In the early days the floats were mostly horse-drawn and covered in floral decorations. The tradition was to tear a flower off the float and throw it to a lady in the crowd. Flowers were sometimes thrown back and hence Battle was born.
The Parade was abandoned during World War 1 but revived in 1926. During World War ll and the Occupation of the Channel Islands the Parade was again suspended. At the start of the 1950’s a group of businessmen decided that a revival of Battle was long overdue as a focus for the community and an additional benefit for the emerging tourism industry.
The event has gone from strength to strength and in 1964 it was decided to drop the ’Battle’ aspect of the Parade.
Competition is fierce, the larger fully floats of up to 45ft compete for the major award Prix d’Honneur. Islanders of all ages work unceasingly in the weeks leading up to Battle in warehouses and sheds all over the island, patiently working with dried flowers and harestails (lagurus grass) making intricate patterns and designs. The night before Battle the Islands is "abuzz"
with many helpers working all night sticking the many thousands of fresh flowers on to their floats. The fresh flowers are predominately chrysanthemums which have been shipped in from the United Kingdom and Holland and asters which have been grown locally.
Not only is Battle one of Jersey’s premier tourist attraction it is also a major community project where everyone gives their time freely to complete the amazing spectacle.
The Battle is enhanced by the many Bands, both locally and from overseas who join in the Parade. The day is over all too soon so sit back and enjoy and tomorrow night you can watch the Spectacular Moonlight Parade.
JERSEY BATTLE OF FLOWERS
AWARDS
The exhibitors have a choice as to which Class they enter, which each class having its individual award. There are several major awards. with the ultimate being the Prix d’Honneur.
Class 3 (Paper Flowers 40 – 45ft)
Class 4 (Wild Flowers 15 -25 ft)
Class 6 (Semi-Floral 10 – 20 ft)
Class 8 (Fully Floral 10 – 20ft)
Class 9 (Fully Floral 25 -35 ft)
Class 10 (Fully Floral 40 -45ft)
Class 11 (Fully Floral Clubs and Associations 40 – 45ft)
Class 12 (Fully Floral Parochial 40 -45ft)
The major awards are:
Prix d’Excellence de Papier is awarded to the second highest marked paper flower exhibit in Class 3.
The Prix d’Honneur de Papier is awarded to the highest marked paper flower exhibit in Class 3.
Prix d’Excellence is awarded to the second highest marked exhibit in Classes 10, 11 and 12
The ultimate award is the Prix d’Honneur which is awarded to the highest marked exhibit in Classes 10, 11 and 12.
Judging is placed into four categories;. Design, Workmanship and Finish, Colour and Overall Impression with the judges being experienced "Battle People" who are predominately past exhibitors, or people who have a wealth of knowledge gained from working within the Battle community over many years.
There are various other awards including Animation Awards, Most Humorous Award and Carnival Atmosphere Award.
There are two major awards for the Moonlight Parade theses being Best Illuminated Exhibit and Carnival Atmosphere Award.