One of the most spectacular carnivals in Europe, the Jersey Battle of Flowers is one of the highlight of Jersey’s summer calendar (9th and 10th August).

With a daytime parade on the 9th and moonlit parade on the 10th, this spectacular event will have an even more spectacular finale with a World Record attempt for simultaneous rocket launching.

Local Jerseyman and fireworks expert Terry McDonald will be attempting to launch 110,000 rockets over St Aubin’s Bay all at the same time - doubling the previous record and ending proceedings with one very big bang.

The Battle first started in 1902, as a celebration of the Coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and now has become a cornerstone of Jersey culture.  Nowadays, the procession consists of brightly coloured floral floats, marching bands and majorettes. Entries for the title come from Jersey parishes, clubs, societies and even families, all of whom decorate their float with as many as 100,000 brightly coloured blooms.

One of the traditions of the Battle of Flowers is ‘Miss Battle’ - this year judges have selected university student Vicky Trehorel - but 2007 is the first year for a decade there has also been a ‘Mr. Battle’ too. Rugby star, winner of Dancing on Ice and original Jerseyman Kyran Bracken will be on hand with Vicky as official ambassadors of the festival. On the 9th, a parachute jump will also take place by the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Free Fall team.

The locals firmly believe that ‘it never rains on battle day’, and considering Jersey gets more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the British Isles, perhaps it is the only place this year to escape the dismal summer without going abroad!
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