James Cole, of the Funtazia Travelling Theme Park, said his team were working ‘hard and fast’ to secure their visit.
He said that it would be ‘great to be back’ after the travelling funfair was unable make its usual trip to Jersey, where it operates in the People’s Park, last year due to Covid-19.
The company also provides entertainment at events such as the Weekender music festival and the Gorey Fete.
Mr Cole said his group had been in regular communication with the organisers of the Battle of Flowers, who help to bring the team over each year, and that they were hoping to visit the
Island from 24 July until the end of August.
‘With Covid restrictions easing and the Island being vaccinated at a good rate, we are confident we will be able to get over this summer. We don’t normally miss an event, so it would be great to be back,’ Mr Cole said.
The group has been operating at events in England since 12 April and Mr Cole said they were capable of adapting their operation to meet any Covid restrictions in the Island.
‘We operate in big open spaces and so people will be spread out. We sanitise the rides after each use and people tend to go on rides in family bubbles or with friends. People can wear masks if they want to,’ he said. ‘I think people are becoming more comfortable with going out again and a lot of families want to enjoy their summer, so I think many will be happy to bring their kids to the fair.’
The daytime Battle parade will not be going ahead this year, but organisers hope to hold two Moonlight Parades.
Jackie Donald, event director for the Battle of Flowers, said they would be requesting permission from the Bailiff’s Panel for the fair to return as part of their plans for this year’s festival.
Under the government’s current roadmap for easing Covid restrictions, large-scale gatherings are not be permitted until 14 June.
Mrs Donald said the funfair would be classed as a large-scale gathering and that it fits in with the last stage of the government’s reconnection plan.
She added: ‘Health and safety is paramount and I think organisers will be more than happy to work around any parameters that public health set as part of their guidance.’
