For the first time in a number of years, all of the exhibits and bands will be lined up on Victoria Avenue ahead of the start of the parade, meaning that crowds will be able to view them up close on their way to their seats, and that the parade will then have an ‘instant start’.
In addition, the floats will all be in position with their lights off ahead of the Moonlight Parade before all being illuminated at the same time, creating an added wow factor.
Last year, the format of the Battle parade was changed, with floats starting from both ends of Victoria Avenue rather than just the one. But parade director Peter Morris said that the decision had been made to go one step further this year.
‘The board felt that we needed to make some changes to make the Battle happen from the moment people arrive, so we decided we had to try something new,’ he said. ‘We did some research based on the Nice carnival, which is a massive event, and we felt that starting everything from a static position on the arena would create a better carnival atmosphere.’
