The Florado Festival ran in Warrnambool each year from 1957 to 1966 and culminated with a grand parade that was “a particularly popular attraction”, according to Yule & Sayers’ history of Warrnambool By These We Flourish. Florado was held around the Labour Day weekend in March.
Fletcher Jones and Staff floats won first pize in Warrnambool's Florado Procession in 1962 and 1963. Possibly in other years as well, but we are certain for these years at least! Bring back Florado Warrnambool - how great are these floats! And look at those costumes!
"Imagine the thousands and thousands of flowers that were required - mostly from our Pleasant Hill gardens!
We dips our lids to our gardeners - they stripped their gardens for this lovely float. Last but not least, to Jim Kelly; our dirver, who had such a hot job - buried under masses of flowers; and to all you good people who gave up a morning of our holiday, to come and help decorate the float - many with flowers from you own gardens."
