A flower parade is a parade in which the floats, vehicles, boats, participants, animals and other things are decorated or covered in flowers. Often there are other elements like
marching bands and people in costumes. Flower parades are held in several countries, many of which celebrate the forthcoming of the seasons. The oldest flower parade dates back to the 1800s.
The culture of flower and fruit parades in the Netherlands is inscribed with the
International Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of
Unesco
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
.
Europe
*
Bloemencorso Flower Parade
located in the
Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
.
*
''Corsos fleuris'' are held in some towns in France, including
Saumur,
Firminy,
Luchon, and
Selestat. The town of
Selestat hosts a parade of Dahlia covered floats, and the floats themes change each year.
*
Jersey Battle of Flowers (Channel Islands). The first staging of this parade dates back to 1902 in honor of the Royal Coronation for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
The name "Battle of Flowers" originates from the tradition to throw torn out flowers and petals to a lady from the crowd with hopes of receiving a flower back.
*
Spalding Flower Parade (UK). The origins on the parade date back to the 1920s.
The final
Spalding flower parade was held for 55 years until 2013.
*
Laredo, (Spain). The parade is celebrated around the
Alameda Miramar, which is located in
Laredo’s central park. The parade originated during August of 1908 and it is said to be celebration of a farewell to summer.
*
Valencia
Valencia ( , ), formally València (), is the capital of the Province of Valencia, province and Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Valencian Community, the same name in Spain. It is located on the banks of the Turia (r ...
,
Virgen de los Desamparados (Spain). During this festival a floral offering is made to the Virgen de los Desamparados. It has been a tradition since 1945 and lasts for two days in the
Plaza De La Virgen.
Many of the offerings are baskets full of flowers or allegorical offerings.
*
Madeira
Madeira ( ; ), officially the Autonomous Region of Madeira (), is an autonomous Regions of Portugal, autonomous region of Portugal. It is an archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the region of Macaronesia, just under north of ...
Flower Festival
esta da Flor(Portuga
The festival has been held since 1979 and is a celebration of Springs forthcoming. It is currently held in the city of
Funchal, Funchal, Portugal which takes place from April 23 to May 24th.
There are several activities and ceremonies that take place during the festival: "The Wall of Hope" ceremony which takes place at the
Praça do Município hosts thousands of children who are traditionally dressed to build a wall full of decorative flower mural, its essence is a calling for peace in the world.
During the ceremony children release doves and perform a show for bystanders.
The "Allegorical Parade" begins May 3 and it is where the floats are showcased with various specious of flowers decorating the floats.
The "Flower Concerts" are held on May 14 to May 17 and take place at the gardens of the Madeira island.
The purpose of these four musical concerns and to keep the entertainment and festivities alive.
May 21 to May 24 hold the last of the Madeira Flower Festival and "Floral Sculptures" are displayed at
Avenida Sá Carneiro, right next to the
Funchal Pier.
*
Ventimiglia Battaglia di Fiori (Italy)
*
''Blumenkorsos'' are held in several towns in Germany, including
Bad Ems,
Legden and
Rheydt
*
''Blumenkorsos'' are also held in a few towns in Austria, including
Tirol (
Ebbs and
Kufstein)
*
Debrecen Flower Carnival - festival in
Debrecen
Debrecen ( ; ; ; ) is Hungary's cities of Hungary, second-largest city, after Budapest, the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain Regions of Hungary, region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar County. A city with county rights, it was the large ...
, Hungary
South America
*
La Feria de Las Flores (Medellín, Colombia) held since 1957 and also known as
Festival of the Flowers
North America
*
Tournament of Roses Parade (Pasadena, California). The first parade took place in 1890, where the
Valley Hunt Club members were the first sponsors of the Tournament of Roses.
Horses were decorated by parade of flowers and the entertainment was chariot races, jousting, foot races and tug-of-war.
Around the 1920s, the 31st parade introduced motor driven floats, which then became the parade that is known now.
The Wrigley mansion was given to the
City of Pasadena by William Wrigley Jr. to use as the Tournament of Roses headquarters in 1959.
The
Rose Parade is currently held every January 1 or most commonly known as
New Year's Day
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year, January 1, 1 January. Most solar calendars, such as the Gregorian and Julian calendars, begin the year regularly at or near the December solstice, northern winter ...
. The parade runs for miles down
Colorado Blvd.
There are four types of entries to the parade: Floral-decorated floats through a participated corporation, municipality or a non-profit organization, equestrian units, bands, and Tournament Entries.
* Grand Floral Parade at the
Portland Rose Festival (Portland, Oregon)
* Battle of Flowers Parade at the
Fiesta San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
* Grand Floral Street Parade at the
Daffodil Festival (Pierce County, Washington)
* Various floral parades are held in Hawaii on
Kamehameha Day and during the
Aloha Festivals
Tyler Texas Rose Festival parade
Tyler Rose Festival (Tyler Texas)
Asia
*
Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Chiang Mai, Thailand). This festival is hosted for the first three days in the month of February. The city is named "the Rose of The North" due to the colorful carnivals and flower festival. There are several activities to participate or watch in such as; The Flower Festival Queen, prize blooms on display, and landscaping projects.
*
Panagbenga Festival (Baguio, Philippines). The word Panagbenga means "the season of blooming", the parade features flowers that celebrate the city of Baugio's spirit and dancers with flower decorated costumes.
Australasia
*
Grand Central Floral Parade,
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (Toowoomba, Queensland)
*
Alexandra Blossom Festival (Alexandra, New Zealand). Marks the arrival of Spring and to commend the community spirit of the town of Alexandra. Beginning in March 1957 the
Alexandra Junior Chamber of Commerce proposed the festival to be held for a week during September, and the proceeds from the week-long festival were to go towards the funding of new swimming baths
*
Tesselar Tulip Festival (
Silvan, Victoria
Silvan is a town in Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia, located 40 km east of Melbourne city centre, Melbourne, located within the Shire of Yarra Ranges Local government areas of Victoria, local government area. Silvan recorded a pop ...
). The Tulip Festival is held every spring and started in 1954 in
Silvan, Victoria
Silvan is a town in Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia, located 40 km east of Melbourne city centre, Melbourne, located within the Shire of Yarra Ranges Local government areas of Victoria, local government area. Silvan recorded a pop ...
a town in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
.
This tourist attraction showcases more than 120 varieties of tulips on a 55-acre farm in the
Dandenong Ranges.
The farms and festival were founded by
Dutch immigrants Cees and Johanna Tesselaar when they arrived in 1939.{{CN, date=December 2023 The festival continues to attract more tourists every year as it evolves.
Notes
Parade
Parades
Festivals