The Scout Association of Malta and the Malta Girl Guides Association are, for the eighth time, teaming up to hold their joint annual parade. This event, formerly respectively known as St George’s Day and Joan of Arc Day, has long been the showpiece event of the respective Associations.
This year also marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of The Scout Association of Malta. It was precisely on the 9 November, 1908 that local Scouting was born.
The Joint Annual Parade will be held on Sunday and it is estimated that there will be around 4,500 scouts and guides participating. These come from 40 scout groups and 30 guide companies and include 19 scout bands. The parade will march in district order with the South District leading the Central, Gozo and North Districts respectively.
The event will begin with a Thanksgiving Holy Mass celebrated at St Publius Church, Floriana by Fr Anton Briffa, OFM Cap, Commissioner for Religious Dimensions assisted by other Group and Company Chaplains. At 10.15am all participating Scout Groups and Guide Companies will form up on the Floriana Granaries in the prescribed order of marching and at 10.45am they will march off towards Valletta.
The marching route will be through City Gate, down Republic Street round into Archbishop Street and up Merchants’ Street. The Parade will disperse at approximately 12pm in two locations and will be directed either to the car park in front of the Central Bank or at Freedom Square.
The contingent will include all the sections of both associations. Of particular note in this year’s Rally, will be a strong contingent of past scouts, who will be taking part in the march past together with the Scout Fellowship. Groups and Companies will be also carrying their mascots. The 2008 official local national centenary flag will also be carried along with the usual colours.
Dr George Hyzler, acting President of the Republic accompanied by the Chief Scout of the Scout Association of Malta and the President of the Girl Guides Association will take the Salute at St George’s Square. Present amongst our guests will be Ministers, Members of Parliament and other VIPs, besides former scouts.