Welcome to the official Flower Parade website, home of the famous event held in the market town of Spalding,
Lincolnshire. Originally running from 1959 through to 2013, hundreds of thousands of visitors
lined the streets of the town to watch the bespoke floats decorated in fresh tulip heads.
Support The Spalding Flower Parade
As a not-for-profit event, the parade exists to benefit the Spalding and South Holland communities. Since its revival in 2023, we’ve been
fortunate to receive tremendous support from local individuals, businesses, and organisations through donations and sponsorships -
and this year is no different. We’re still seeking support to help make this year’s parade a success, whether through banner sponsorship,
advertising in our programme, or becoming a headline sponsor for one of the six main floats.
The parade costs tens of thousands of pounds to put on with so many areas to fund such as health and safety, road closures and
security, licences, venue hire and insurances to name just a very few.
If you feel your business or organisation could help with sponsorship or funding, please email
enquiries@spaldingflowerparade.org.uk - we‘d love to hear from you!
The history of the Spalding Flower Parade stretches back nearly a century, with its roots planted in the 1920s. The event gained
prominence in 1935 when the tulip crop coincided with the Jubilee celebrations of King George V and Queen Mary, drawing massive
crowds and transforming the occasion into a major spectacle.
1935: The Birth of Tulip Time
The influx of visitors in 1935 overwhelmed Spalding, creating traffic chaos on the narrow country roads leading to the tulip fields. To
address these issues, the Tulip Time Committee was established. The committee introduced a one-way traffic system, organized the
annual Tulip Queen competition, and managed the logistics for the growing number of visitors. The crowning of the Tulip Queen
became a hallmark of the celebrations, signalling the start of Tulip Time.
The First Official Tulip Parade (1959)
The inaugural Tulip Parade took place in 1959 and quickly gained international acclaim. Within three years, the event attracted up to
250,000 spectators who lined the three-mile parade route. To enhance the experience, a four-day static exhibition was introduced,
allowing visitors to admire the elaborate floats up close.
At its peak, the parade featured grand floats adorned with up to 250,000 fresh tulip heads. The event became synonymous with
Spalding, with mentions of the town often evoking thoughts of the Flower Parade. A Tulip Queen, later joined by a Miss Tulipland and
eventually a Flower Queen, represented the town for a year, participating in various events before passing the title to her successor.
Celebrity appearances added further glamour to the parade.
Float Construction
In the early days, floats were crafted from metal frames covered in straw and adorned with pinned fresh flowers. Over time, straw gave
way to polythene foam, and artificial flowers became more common as tulip availability declined. In the later years, tulips were
occasionally imported from Holland. Local blacksmith Geoff Dodd created the metal frames, while volunteers worked tirelessly, often late
into the night, to decorate the floats.
Cultural Connections with Jersey
During the parade’s height, the Flower Queen forged cultural ties with Jersey’s Battle of Flowers. The queens from each event would visit
and participate in the other’s parade, fostering a unique exchange. However, these exchanges ended as rising costs made them
unsustainable.
The Final Parade (2013)
The last Spalding Flower Parade was held in 2013, marking the 55th event. Declining funding, waning popularity, and the perception of
being outdated led to its cancellation. That year, cold weather stunted the tulip crop, requiring artificial materials to supplement the
floats. The parade’s relocation to the out-of-town Springfields shopping centre drew criticism, with many lamenting its impact on the
town centre and its heritage. Spalding came to be known as the town that “used to have a Flower Parade.”
The Revival (2023)
After a ten-year hiatus, the Flower Parade returned in 2023, reigniting community pride and introducing a new generation to the
tradition. Spearheaded by local resident Steve Timewell, the revival was a grassroots effort supported by hundreds of volunteers and
over £80,000 in private funding. Modernizing the tradition, the role of “South Holland Ambassador” replaced the Flower Queen.
Nineteen-year-old Star Perry, assisted by Holly Kendrick, was elected to represent the area.
The 2023 parade incorporated both fresh tulips and innovative touches like 20,000 handmade knitted flowers, ensuring resilience
against unpredictable tulip crops. Held on May 13, 2023, the event was a triumphant return to Spalding’s cultural calendar.
History of The Spalding Flower Parade
What time does the parade start? | The advertised start time is 11:00am on Saturday 10th May 2025 |
What time does the parade finish | The expected arrival time back at the arena is circa 1:00pm |
Where can I watch the parade? | Anywhere along the official parade route. Please keep on public pavements |
Is there a charge to enter the arena? | Entry is by donation if possible. The parade is completely funded by |
Can I bring my dog? | Dogs aren’t permitted into the main event arena at Springfields (with the |
Can I use a drone for photos/videos | Drones are not permitted at the Springfields arena site. For laws |
Where can I park? | There are no parking facilities at The Springfields Events Centre. Parking Spalding Grammar School (St Thomas’s Road field PE11 2TT) 7:00am - 5:00pm - £5.00 per car Spalding High School, Stonegate, Spalding, PE11 2PJ £5.00 - light refreshments available For Town Centre parking, please visit this section of the SHDC website: |
Disabled Parking | There are no disabled parking facilities at The Springfields Events Centre. |
Park and Ride | Black Cat Travel and Smart Cabs are providing park and ride services to the |
Will my road be closed for the parade? | Please click here to view the parade map |
We’ve tried to include as many of the common questions and answers regarding
the parade and events. If there’s something specific, use the contact us page
Media Galleries
Thanks to the generosity of many people, we have been fortunate enough to have been given hundreds of Spalding Flower
Parade photos, newspaper cuttings and programmes from over six decades. If you would like to contribute to our archives so
that many people can enjoy the memories, visit our contact page.
For more videos search “Spalding Flower Parade on YouTube”
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Toni Preston
Ray Clements
Dave Mustoe
Diane Mayes
Chairperson
Secretary & Vendors
Treasurer & Coaches
Event Controller
Entertainment
Manager
Volunteering is your way to make a positive impact on the flower parade, and even yourself. By offering your time and skills, you can support the parade throughout the year. This provides a unique opportunity to meet with people, develop new skills, build confidence, and create lasting memories and relationships.
If you're interested in finding our more or would like to offer some help in anyway, please contact volunteers@spaldingflowerparade.org.uk
Spalding Flower Parade Team
Mick Deveney
Jack Verey
For general enquiries email enquiries@spaldingflowerparade.org.uk
Send us a direct message on our official Facebook page here >>
During busier times (leading up to and on parade day) our team may not be able to respond to queries promptly.
Please check our website and Facebook Page for up-to-date information - thank you!