FAQ

Parking at the Swimming Pool car park Unless you are part of the parade and have been issued with a vehicle pass, please do not arrive at the entrance to the Castle Sports Ground. The best car park for parade participants is on West Lode Street (behind bowling alley). You can drop off here or park all day (pay and display) Parking at the gym car park NO PARKING HERE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES - this car park is for gym users only on production of a membership card We will provide car parks outside of the town and these will be signposted. They will involve a short walk to the parade route PARK AND RIDE - THE BEST OPTION SYSTEM #1 Consider using the park and ride system from Enterprise Way (Spalding Auction site). Follow the signs and use the buses provided. Parking is free but there is a small charge for the bus service. Buses and minibuses run every 10 minutes into town First bus 8am - last bus back 5.15 Arrive early - do not leave it till 10.30 as the buses will be full SYSTEM #2 Park at the New Rugby Club near Applegreen Services on the A16 and take the bus (every 20 minutes) This drops at the bus station on a dedicated stand. Return from here every 20 minutes First bus 8am, last bus 5pm Access to the town centre will be restricted from 10am so you should make arrangements and plan your day. This is only whilst the parade passes through the town Car parks NOT affected You can access Vine Street car park from Winsover Road area or via London Road and the Crescent If possible, please use our park and ride systems - there are two

Trains stop at Spalding train station which is a two minute walk from the parade route and arena. There will be extra trains into Spalding on the day. Please enquire with Network Rail From the train station, cross Sainsbury's car park and turn left at the football field, you will then be on the parade route and near the arena

During the road closures, the bus station is still accessible from Winsover Road so buses will be operating but may have revised routes. Please enquire with the bus company Coaches are booked in from all over the UK and these have been given strict instructions on arrivals and routes into Spalding. We have arranged all day parking for coaches once passengers alight at the bus station Coaches will be met by our ambassadors who will give help and advice, town maps and more

We welcome your animal family members but all dogs must remain on leads at all times Please make sure you pick up any dog mess and place in the bins provided There is a 'Pet Stop' with a constant supply of fresh drinking water, right in the centre of the arena Please DO NOT leave dogs in parked cars without adequate ventilation and water supply

This starts at 8am and runs all day Park & Ride #1 Park at on Enterprise Way. Follow the signs. Best accessed from the A16 near Morrisons Smartcabs will provide Minibus transport into town and back - charges apply Drops at the Royal mail Cart (on the parade route) and 2 minutes from the arena First bus 8am Park & Ride #2 On the new rugby club field just off the A16 Best option if arriving from Peterborough/Stamford At the Applegreen roundabout you will see signs Blackcat Travel will operate buses into town every 20 minutes (charges apply) Drop off is on a dedicated stand at the bus station First bus 8am Last bus back 5.00pm

We have a Lancaster flyover over the arena and town - this will be very low so DO NOT FLY DRONES Please do not fly drones over the parade or arena - it is illegal to fly over large crowds The police have the powers to arrest any drone operator breaking the law The arena is private property so no permission is granted for take off and landing of drones

The arena The arena is located within Spalding's alcohol free zone. Therefore no alcohol in open vessels may be brought into the arena. It is also not permitted to leave the arena with alcohol in open vessels. We operate a strict zero tolerance on drugs and anyone found in possession will be refused entry or removed from the site and the police will be informed We reserve the right to refuse entry or eject anyone causing distress or alarm to other visitors Our registered operatives reserve the right to stop and search persons and/or belongings

Please stay behind pedestrian barriers where installed Please keep small children away from the kerb side as the parade passes Do not cross the road whilst the parade is moving

All spaces in the Castle site must be pre-booked and will be available from April onwards Behind the bowling alley on West Lode Street there are spaces very close to the arena and it's a 100 feet walk on level ground Near the gym, there are spaces within 100 feet of the arena The arena This is grass. It is level and suitable for wheelchairs/disabled scooters although maybe difficult if wet Assistance If you have any special requirements, please contact us or on the day, speak to a marshal. We ant this event to be 100% inclusive and will help wherever we can

I am Steve Timewell, just a local resident who values our local community and heritage. I started the project but already have the backing and support of hundreds of local volunteers who also want to see the return of the annual flower parade I now have a team of dedicated people behind me giving 100% to making this happen

The parade will leave the Castle Sports Field at 11am prompt and make it's way around the town on a 3 mile route. It will return to the field after approx 2 hours The floats are a mix of real tulips and artificial flowers, decorated trailers and more. There will also be marching bands, dancers and lots of fun displays Expect music, noise and lots of colour Every single person involved will have given their time and services for FREE There will be several other major attractions in the town centre making sure local businesses benefit On the arena you will find: Over 70 local craft stalls and charities More than 20 food vendors Licenced bar Live music on the stage Lots of vintage fete games Activities for the younger visitors And so much more The daytime event finishes at 7pm but at 9pm we will have a static display of all the floats and they will feature light shows. Entry to this will be by donation This year we have an extra bonus From 10am - 5pm on Sunday 12th May, you can visit the arena and see all the floats on display There will also be masses of craft and trade stalls to visit Entry is by donation on the gate

We are organising a craft fair to coincide with the parade We want as much as possible to be on in the town centre, making sure all local businesses benefit We have also requested a Lancaster flyover

Nobody - simple as that Every penny donated goes to the organising of the event and any surplus will go to local charities and/or a parade in 2024 Not one person will receive payment for organising the event - it's 100% voluntary Local businesses WILL benefit from the event due to the number of people we predict to be in Spalding

Yes, we are aware that we don't grow tulips on the scale that we used to so we could never get enough tulips to cover the floats, that's why we have called it a 'Flower Parade', any flowers can be used We can and will also use some artificial flowers that can be recycled and used again in future years (no waste) Schools and groups can also make their own imitation flowers, as long as they are filled with colour We have a supplier in Norfolk that has promised us hundreds of acres of fresh tulips - all we have to do is get a team together to crop them They will be collected 3 days before the parade and put into cold storage. Teams will then work to decorate the floats ready for the big day

Sorry fully booked - now taking bookings for 2025 This part of the event is now full but you can be added to a reserve list

You can watch the parade pass by anywhere along the route. The busiest places are Market Place, Church Street and High Bridge. The best places for families are Queen's Road and Halmergate. The parade will probably last 90 minutes Feel free to bring deckchairs and refreshments with you After the parade, make your way to the Castle Sports Centre foe entertainment until 7pm, with FREE entry (but please make a small donation on your way in)

The parade is now fully booked up and we can not accept any further entries

We welcome local charities and groups that can enter in costume and dancing Local businesses can enter a decorated float or trailer Street entertainers are welcome

Your float or decorated trailer should it in with our theme, choose an era. It should be highly decorated and can have music. You can display your company or group name It must be ready for the parade upon arrival For vehicles with people riding on them, safety rails must be fitted and/or seatbelts Each moving vehicle must be accompanied by no less than two supervisors that walk alongside the vehicle, wearing hi-viz vests Contact us to discuss your ideas