Brief showers failed to dampen the spirit of the people in Suva as thousands gathered along the main street yesterday to witness the float procession and street parade that marked the closing of the 2009 Vodafone Hibiscus Festival.

The colourful parade lasting about three hours started from the Suva Flea Market at one end of the city to Albert Park.

“Its great to see the colourful floats and this accelerates the creative potential of contestants,” said Suva City Council General Administrator Vijendra Prasad, who was the chief guest at the float procession.

More than 60 floats were part of the parade led by the Royal Fiji Police Force Band.

The parade included the Hare Krishna society, Suva Karate club, Shirley’s marching girls, Fiji Police Christian Blue Light Camp, HIV and AIDS awareness group, St Thomas High School Brass Band, Vodafone Fiji and other corporate sponsors.

Pacific Building Solution won the Best Float. Their float depicted a sample of the ancient Egyptian pyramid in a desert with their queen Rachael Mafi flanked by children and a muscular warrior.

Miss Sky Pacific Abigail Young took out the second prize. Her float had a big screen television while winners of the two seasons of the popular TV talent show, Make It Count, performed live entertainment.

Miss Suva City Council Sera Fatafehi picked out the third prize for her float, which had a model of a building covered with flowers.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Institute of Technology scooped a double for the best stall and the most hygienic stall at Albert Park. The best decorated stall award was won by Tigers Restaurant.