Colourful Festivities

• Monday, 6 September 2010
• By Sam Martin
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Photos _ Caroll Taveras

Yes Spring has sprung but on the Gold Coast there are only small patches of colour scattered along our coastline. However, on the other end of the scale, Colombia is currently thanking flowers for being one of their biggest exporting commodities, accounting for 70% of all cut flowers sold in the USA. Every year the community praises the weather and environment that allows them to grow so many flowers by holding a flower parade in Medillin (second biggest city in Colombia). The parade which was established in 1957 was also designed to attract tourism back to the city after a number of years of drug cartel violence and domination, which scared off punters. The annual festivities consist of flower sellers showing off elaborate designs, traditional dressed festival contributors, farm visits, vintage car shows, food, dancing, month long activities and most of all tradition at it’s finest.