Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1011650
| SUNDAY • 5 AUGUST 2018 maltatoday 14 EVERGROWING in popu- larity, 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 kick 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 Prom- enade till Santana Hotel. On the next day, Saturday, the de- filè will start from next to San- tana Hotel at 7:30pm, and will then move along to Islet Prom- enade, culminating in Buġibba Square. On Sunday 19 August, the Carnival will move to the Mar- sascala promenade. The cel- ebrations open at 7pm with a street parade all along the promenade in Salini Street. Starting next to the local coun- cil, 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 Marsas- cala 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 compa- nies. 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 par- ticular 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 or- ganised by Festivals Malta, with the help of the Parliamen- tary Secretary for Local Gov- ernment and Communities, the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Malta Tourism Author- ity and the local councils of St Paul's Bay and Marsascala. CULTURE The Summer Carnival is back Ex-Manchester United Players in Malta for Valletta 2018 ON Sunday 9 September, more than 12 Manchester United ex-players will be in Malta to play an exhibition match with current local title-holders, Valletta F.C., at the Centenary Stadium in Ta' Qali. The match was announced during a press conference ear- lier today and is being held as part of the European Capital of Culture year. Manchester United ex-play- ers coming to Malta for this game include Ronny Johnsen, Raimond van der Gouw, Wes Brown, Sammy Mcllroy, Chris Casper, Lee Martin, Bojan Djordjic, Andy Ritchie, Danny Webber, Keith Gillespie, Ben Thornley, Russell Beardsmore and manager Jimmy Green- hoff. These former interna- tional football stars were all part of Manchester United at some point between 1971 and 2008, winning many Premier League titles, FA Cups and Champions' Leagues between them. Tickets, which can be ob- tained from the Valletta Foot- ball Club or the Manchester United Supporters' Club, cost only €5, with all proceeds go- ing towards the Ursoline Sis- ters' Creche, Angela House in Gwardamangia which works with children and families in need. This game coincides with the Manchester United Support- ers' Club's 60th Anniversary that will be celebrated next February. Hosting an exhibi- tion match in Malta involv- ing a good number of former Manchester United players, many of whom remain active within the club to this very day, is a fitting start to the club's 60th Anniversary cel- ebrations. The club, which is officially recognised by Man- chester United, is the oldest Manchester United Support- ers' Club in the world, being founded and for many years established in St Lucy Street, Valletta. Valletta FC vs Manchester Reds Legends XI Exhibition Match will take place on Sun- day 9 September at the Cente- nary Stadium in Ta' Qali, kick- ing off at 6.30pm.