Members of Rowntrees department store at Scarborough prepare for the annual Benelux Festival Parade, the theme for 1966 is 'Northern Lights'. The film opens showing rolls of colourful paper and fabric, on chairs and tables in a workroom. A woman puts finishing touches to part of a colourful costume, possibly ornate headwear, nearby other costume items adorn mannequins. A costume is tried on by one of the female members of the parade, who poses for the camera. The costume...

Members of Rowntrees department store at Scarborough prepare for the annual Benelux Festival Parade, the theme for 1966 is 'Northern Lights'. The film opens showing rolls of colourful paper and fabric, on chairs and tables in a workroom. A woman puts finishing touches to part of a colourful costume, possibly ornate headwear, nearby other costume items adorn mannequins. A costume is tried on by one of the female members of the parade, who poses for the camera. The costume includes wings attached to the back of the costume made from decorated transparent plastic sheet. The costume also includes elaborate headwear. Other parade members pose for the camera in their costume. The film moves on to the decoration of the parade float in a garage. A workman applies glue to a piece of wood. Another applies coloured foil or paper to the exterior of the float. The film then shows parade participants applying makeup and getting into costumes, with some assistance from the costume makers. The film moves outside as those now in costume pose for the camera on the decorated float. The float has the words ‘Northern Lights’ painted on it. Others in costume but not on the float also pose for the camera before the parade starts. The film moves to a car park where other floats wait for the parade to begin. A group of men near the camera carry small Norwegian flags. The film cuts back to the waiting Rowntrees float, with close ups showing the patient participants. A view of a float follows with a castle like structure built onto where knights in armour stand. A woman gets into a car decorated with Norwegian flags, the film cuts to another section of the waiting crowd where Jimmy Savile makes an appearance, and then joins the girl in the car. Judging has been taken place on the floats and the Rowntrees float is awarded ‘The Best In The Show’. One of the Rowntrees team on the float holds up the winning cup. A Scots Pipe Band walks across the car park, and the parade begins with first of the floats pulled by a tractor moves off, followed by the Northern Lights float and its entourage from Rowntrees, other floats follow on behind, one is a steam traction engine advertising Scarborough Spa. Another military style band follows on and the film ends as the parade makes slow progress out of the car park on its journey towards the town.