When the crowds gave Spalding’s final flower parade the thumbs up, it made months of planning worthwhile.
Kathleen Codd, of Kenyon Communications, said: “I haven’t stopped smiling all day.
“We were concerned about there not being enough tulips but the feedback we’ve had about the colours, textures and different designs we used has been very positive.”
The volume of traffic into the town for the parade meant some of the bands were running late though.
But it didn’t stop the show being hailed as a winner.
Kathleen said: “We’ve had such a fantastic operational team and drivers, it has made such a difference since we first took over three years ago. That was a big learning curve.
“It’s been a challenge and there have been lots of late nights and little sleep, but we are thrilled with how things went.”
For Caroline Kenyon, the day was always going to be emotional and as the final float passed the stand along the riverside where the dignitaries sat there were tears in her eyes.
She said: “It’s been absolutely fabulous.
“The floats have been just stunning. I’m delighted.
”I know I won’t be alone in having a tear in my eye that this wonderful street celebration won’t happen again.”
There was a message to spectators sitting in the stand from one of the Long Sutton Veteran Cyclists, calling on dignitaries to take note of the crowds that had turned up and not let it be the last one.
But organisers are already looking to the future.
MP John Hayes said: “I’m determined we should take this forward.
“I’m a passionate supporter of the flower parade – this is my 17th and for many they’ve had a lot more.
“I’ve supported it every year since becoming an MP. I saved it about five years ago with the help of the Free Press.
“This tradition must not die. It may not carry on in its present form and this may be the end of one chapter, but it’s the start of a new one for the flower parade.”