MALACCA: It was a festival of colours as some 2,000 participants and thousands of spectators livened up the Florathon 2008 here recently.

Set over a 3km span of the Botanical Gardens, the costume parade-cum-competition was organised by the Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the state government and the Malacca Municipal Council.

Participants, decked in floral-themed outfits, were judged according to the flashiness and uniqueness of their costumes.

To spice up this year's festival, organisers have divided the event into two categories -- the Florathon and the Bunga Raya Waiters' Race.

Grace Wong Hui Hui from City Bayview Hotel Malacca, who spent RM500 on an extravagant but cumbersome fairy costume, could barely walk up to the stage to receive her RM1,200 grand prize.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the festival marked the beginning of the mega event lined up next month to celebrate Malacca's Unesco listing.