Summer Carnival to be held in Bugibba, Marsascala, later this month
Ever-growing in popularity, the Summer Carnival is back. Like past years it will take place over three days and in two localities. On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 August the Summer Carnival will take place in Buġibba. The events starts off with the traditional ġostra, where competitors climb a long pole smeared in fat, in an attempt to reach the flag placed at its far end. Those who reach the flag get a prize, those who slip end up in the sea.
The ġostra will take place on both Friday and Saturday at around 6pm in Buġibba Square. It will be followed by a parade featuring carnival floats and dance companies, which on Friday starts at 7:30pm and will proceed along Islet Promenade till Santana Hotel. On the next day, the Saturday, the defilè will start from next to Santana Hotel at 7:30pm, and will then move along to Islet Promenade, culminating in Buġibba Square.
On Sunday 19 August, the Carnival will move to the Marsascala promenade. The celebrations open at 7pm with a street parade all along the promenade in Salini Street. Starting next to the local council, the parade will make its way towards the area known as is-simenta, where there will be dance performances and shows by the members of the respective floats. The Marsascala Band as will also be taking part in this carnival.
As in past years there will be decorative floats, some of which will be accompanied by their respective dance companies. This year there will also be two floats that featured in the Gozo Carnival this year.
Interestingly, the summer floats are smaller than those of the Winter Carnival and are created especially for this particular carnival, with summer-related themes. Participants hail from many locations, and most of them also participate in the Winter Carnival.
In Marsascala, patrons can park next to Inspire, in front of the St Anthony Family Part in St Anthony Street as well in the park’s carpark. There will be a park and ride service.
The Summer Carnival is organised by Festivals Malta, with the help of the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities, the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Malta Tourism Authority and the local councils of St Paul’s Bay and Marsascala.