The Annual Flower Festival in Medellin, Colombia

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The Annual Flower Festival in Medellin takes place for one week every August. Medellin is the second largest flower growing region after the tulips of Amsterdam.

The origins of the parade that closes the week-long festival are centered around the wooden boxes the Silleteros wore strapped onto their backs and heads that were used to bring the flowers down the mountain from the flower fields at 7,000 feet to the city 1,000 feet below.

Today the tons of fresh flowers travel by truck and jet airplane but the traditions of the Silleteros live on during the annual flower festival.

The Flowers are also used in designs that are falso carried on the backs of the silleteros or everything from business logos to charities to youth groups or government agencies. The display starts with a large cardboard circle, upon which the farmers will copy the logo or draw their own design, either of which they hope will be an award winner as there are both ribbons and cash prizes to be won.

The hotels, restaurants, and shops are full as so many Colombians and foreigners choose to visit Medellin during the week of the Flower Festival.

A Silletero demonstrating how the flowers are carried on his back with a strap around the forehead to relieve some of rhe weight of the floral displays.
A Silletero demonstrating how the flowers are carried on his back with a strap around the forehead to relieve some of rhe weight of the floral displays.1024×973 314 KB
Close up of the wooden carrier for the flowers
Close up of the wooden carrier for the flowers768×1024 326 KB
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QG9VpaQIQRCn3MSGFdnqoQ_thumb_1591.jpg768×1024 105 KB
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sIRU649GRoSL+UeonqpzWA_thumb_15a6.jpg768×1024 139 KB
The large circles are made of cardboard.
The large circles are made of cardboard.767×1024 148 KB
The design is drawn on the cardboard. This can take many weeks to complete.
The design is drawn on the cardboard. This can take many weeks to complete.828×1024 216 KB
There are also floats in the parade
There are also floats in the parade856×1024 224 KB
A few days before the parade, the freshly cut flowers are attached to the cardboard.
A few days before the parade, the freshly cut flowers are attached to the cardboard.801×1024 166 KB
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uo5iOyqsQRWky6E2Kud7tA_thumb_14f9.jpg791×1024 221 KB
A logo of a local company executed in flowers.
A logo of a local company executed in flowers.937×1024 219 KB
Another local company's logo.
Another local company's logo.767×1024 128 KB
The Silleteros in the parade on the final day of the flower festival.
The Silleteros in the parade on the final day of the flower festival.766×1025 148 KB
The day before the big parade there is a smaller parade of classic cars and motorcycles.
The day before the big parade there is a smaller parade of classic cars and motorcycles.1024×893 204 KB
The winners from the Classic Car Parade also get the opportunity to drive in the main finale on Sunday.
The winners from the Classic Car Parade also get the opportunity to drive in the main finale on Sunday.1024×767 139 KB

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Oh my! Looks like a magnificent event, @FogCityNative ! Thank you for sharing about that. Do you know if only professionals are allowed to participate in this festival?

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No, I think it’s open to anybody, but not sure. The people in the parade are mostly the flower growers themselves. I am sure they have an association. But the classic car parade is open to anyone with a car that meets their requirements. There are also marching bands and the police and government ministries also march. It is quite an extravaganza.

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Sounds like a prerequisite for huge variety which makes the festival even more interesting! This is amazing. Thank you for sharing @FogCityNative :slight_smile:

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