The Spalding Flower Parade to end with Fireworks

AFTER saving a historic festival from the brink of closure, hundreds of thousands of residents came out to enjoy the spring sunshine this weekend. The Spalding Flower Parade weaved its way through the town's streets for the 51st time on Saturday, after a last-minute deal to save the traditional May Day weekend attraction had been struck. The parade had been under threat because of health and safety fears, but Lincolnshire County Council stepped in to save the event after Spalding residents reacted angrily to the news the festival was being axed. More than 17 schools and 20 churches were taking part in the flower festival which sees vivid displays made using thousands of tulips. This year the festival was more popular than ever, with extra train services between Peterborough and Spalding being put on to cope with the crowds, and it is thought that more than a quarter of a million people turned out during the three days of festivities. The parade saw almost 40 bands, floats, and dance troupes and a cavalcade of six floral floats take the three-hour-long route through the town. And yesterday and today there were marching bands, a free circus, and a butterfly and wildlife exhibit, before a spectacular fireworks display tonight.