After three years of absence because of the Covid-19, it is the return of the flower boat festival in Saint-Maxire this Sunday, July 31. At least 7000 spectators expected on the banks of the Sèvre to take advantage of the event. It’s here 70th edition over 80 years of existence. “It was missing. The last was three years ago. I think there will be people, everyone is waiting for that”launches Philippe Goulard, 1st deputy mayor of Saint-Maxire.
It’s a popular festival, a fair that people enjoy
The Flower Boat Festival was created in 1942 by a teacher “to raise funds and send food parcels to Saint-Maxir prisoners who were in Germany”, says Didier Doreau, the president of the festival committee. The idea was then picked up in 1950 and that’s how the party continued. “It’s a popular festival, a fair that people appreciate. We have a very pleasant, bucolic, shaded site between two arms of the river”he continues.
The theme of nine boats for this 2022 edition, it is the 70th anniversary. Each creation is a reproduction of a boat from one of the periods in the history of flower boats. With a hell of a challenge. The festival committee took over one of the very first boats created in 1942 “respecting the materials used at the time. There was no crepe paper so they did it with fabric, wood and lots of plants”says Didier Doreau.
10,000 to 15,000 flowers per boat
A “classic” boat requires five to six months Manufacturing. “There is the structure and the flowers, on average 10,000 to 15,000 flowers per boat so it is a lot of work. Someone who is very used to it, it takes him about 4 minutes for a flower so you can imagine”, explains the president of the festival committee.
Impossible to take a look at the achievements of this year. “We must leave the total surprise for the public”, insists Didier Doreau. And wait for parade Sunday. A first at 4 p.m., another at 10 p.m. with the boats illuminated. Between the two animations and concerts with headlining Emile & Imagesthe famous group of the 80s. A fireworks display is also scheduled.
