‘Bursting with pride!’ Erika Yao crowned 2025 Spalding Flower Parade Queen

All hail Queen Erika.

The 2025 Spalding Flower Parade Queen and deputy have been crowned following a glitzy bash on Saturday evening.

Erika Yao was named the Queen for next month’s event after impressing the judges from a competitive shortlist of eight.

Briony Mann was crowned her deputy.

Erika and Briony will lead the parade on May 10 and represent the community at a variety of local events across South Holland throughout the year and into early 2026.

Spalding’s Sessions House, which Erika runs with partner Andrew Blach, said the business was ‘absolutely thrilled and bursting with pride’ to following the result.

“We can't wait to cheer on the new Flower Queen during the parade,” it continued.

The enthusiastic candidates competed for the coveted titles in an event hosted by the parade committee’s entertainment lead David Mustoe at Springfields Events Centre.

Each contestant faced the same set of questions, responding live before a panel of five judges and an engaged audience.

The evening’s entertainment added an extra touch of magic, with live performances from Jeff Woods, known locally as Pavanotti and band Mullered at The Mill.

Flamingo Flowers & EM Cole Farms donated the bouquets and posies, with other local businesses offering raffle prizes.