Excitement Builds For Battle Day!

In sheds across the island, the final preparations are being made for this year's Battle of Flowers parades.

Today (10 August) would traditionally be Jersey's floral festival - it being the second Thursday in August.

But, in one of the biggest shake ups in the carnival's 121 year history, organisers have moved the day parade to Friday and a 5pm start.

They hope it will draw bigger crowds, and that more islanders will be able to head along to the arena after finishing wok.

The Moonlight Parade has also been rescheduled, from Friday night to  Saturday night, and will feature - for the first time ever - a drone show finale.

While carnival-goers have another day to wait to see the spectacle, float-builders have some extra hours to finish decorating their exhibits.

Alexis Marett from the St Helier BOF Association, welcomes that:

"Everyone jokes that Battle starts the day after Battle, and it's actually true.  We start designing our float as soon as we finish the last one.

We started making flowers in January and we've worked all the way through, so it's really just finishing off now."

In St Lawrence, Stephanie Ward tells us the shed is very busy, as the parish entry has switched from real to paper flowers for the first time:

"We have quite a lot of changes this year and have been trying to adapt just to be able to get a float into the Battle.

It's exciting, and it's very different from the usual years.  Hectic, but fun!"

The team in Grouville are feeling confident.  Lin Lathem spoke to Channel 103 from the top of their float:

"We are hoping (to win awards with) our best set piece - our dragon Raaa - is stunning, and with his wings he is going to be a real glorious piece!"

Many of the floats are appealing for volunteers to help get their entries finished in time:

Temperatures for the main parade will be much cooler than last year, which was the hottest recorded at 32 Celsius.

The forecast for Friday afternoon is for cloud with the chance of some rain to start, but with bright or sunny spells developing later and highs of 23C.

People travelling out of Jersey on Friday and Saturday (11 & 12 August) are being advised to allow more time to get to the harbour or airport.

Victoria Avenue will be closed for most of Friday ( 11am until 10pm) and from 5pm on Saturday afternoon. 

Delays are also expected on Friday and Sunday mornings as floats are being moved to and from the arena.