The Optimists Club entered their first float in the parade in 1983 and have since won the top prize, the Prix d’Honneur, ten times.
Their 30th entry, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, is based on the famous 1960s movie, and because the classic film sees a newspaper playing a key role, the sports and social club decided to get the JEP on board with their anniversary exhibit.
As a result, the newspaper’s design team has come up with a traditional front-page commemorating the anniversary, which has been replicated onto a board measuring 6ft by 3ft 6in which will is being displayed at the back of the float. A team of women from the club are now busy covering the newspaper with harestails – a job which is expected to take at least four weeks.
