A shortage of tulip heads means the 55th and final Spalding Flower Parade will have an entirely new look as float decorators get crafty with a range of fresh materials.
Float headers are working with just 200 bags of tulips compared to their usual 1,000, but parade manager Kathleen Codd said the colour palette will be extended as they are using fabrics, ribbons, cork, foil and feathers.
She said: “To be perfectly honest, I think it will look better because we are not restricted with colour – with tulips you have got a very limited palette, pinks, reds, yellows, a little bit of purple and a little bit of white.”
Gold foil and cork will be put to good use on the float A Bit of Fizz, which features a Champagne bottle some 15ft high and 18ft long.
Kathleen said: “I think the parade is going to be something quite spectacular, well worth the trip for all of the people coming to see it.”
Although tulips are in short supply, the headers are working with flowers for the yellows as daffs will plug the gap.
The parade will leave Springfields at 2pm on Saturday with Flower Queen Inca Honnor (18) on the lead float, followed by Free Press Prince and Princess Ellis Newton (10) and Millie Weller (9).
Popular viewing sites include High Bridge, Market Place, Hall Place, New Road and Winfrey Avenue.
nFor an in-depth look at the final flower parade and the route map, you can buy the official £2 programme from the Lincolnshire Free Press office in The Crescent, Spalding, or from local news agents. It’s a wonderful souvenir.