This year’s first Malta International Food and Fireworks Festival promises to be a “multitude of experiences all rolled into one”, according to Lou Bondi, one of the festival’s organisers.
Mr Bondi said the idea of incorporating the two festivals into a single event was intended to make it more attractive to as wide a spectrum of
people as possible.
“We want people to enjoy doing different things at the same place – listening to music, watching fireworks, eating, drinking… strolling along one of the most beautiful harbours in the world,” he said.
This week alone, about 200 people are involved in preparations for what promises to be a true spectacle as food and music are enjoyed along the Grand Harbour seafront.
The three-day festival will be held from Saturday to Monday. The fireworks will be coming from as far apart as China and Austria, and will be let off from the sea. The festival will include music to everyone’s taste, performed on three separate stages, as well as a variety of food and drink. These, and much more, are the key ingredients to making this festival a success, said Mr Bondi, adding that “we are doing everything possible to make this festival as entertaining as possible”.
He urged those wishing to enjoy any one of the three main concerts to reserve tickets to avoid disappointment.
“We knew from the start that Zoo, Ira Losco, Olivia Lewis, Winter Moods, Klinsmann and many others are crowd-pullers and tickets for all three
concerts are selling fast.”
Captain Morgan Cruises will provide transport by boat from the Sliema ferries area to Marsamxett every half hour from 6pm to half-past midnight.
Transport by boat will also be available from Xatt ir-Rizq in Cottonera every half hour between 6.30 and 8.45pm and between 11pm and half past midnight. Those wishing to park their cars at the MCP car park may also do so at a Lm1 flat rate.
Every day
Food Festival area (free admission)
7.30pm – 0.30am
Tomorrow
Ta Liesse Folk Area (Free admission)
8.30pm – 9pm: Benny and Tonia
9pm – 9.30pm: Joe Demicoli
9.30pm – 10pm: Tony Gauci
10.25pm – 10.55pm: Paul Curmi Dancers 10.55pm – 11.30pm: Hooligan
11.30pm – Midnight: Mary Rose Mallia
Concert Area
8.30pm: Good Luck Olivia
VIP Seating Area
9pm – 9.30pm: Joe Cutajar
9.30pm – 10pm: William Mangion
10.15pm – 11pm: Ritianne
11pm – Midnight: Freddie Portelli
Fireworks Competition:
10pm – 10.15pm: Austrian Power from Design Fireworks International, Austria
Voting: Fixed line – 5004-3991, SMS – 5061-5001
Midnight – 0.15am: Flowers of Fire from Mount Carmel Fireworks Factory, Zurrieq
Voting: Fixed line – 5004-3992, SMS – 5061-5002
Sunday
Ta Liesse Folk Area7pm – 10pm: Festa
10.10pm – 10.50pm: Sophie
11.20pm – 11.50pm: J Anvil
VIP Seating Area
9.20pm – 11pm, 11.15pm – Midnight: Strictly Retro (Mark Spiteri Lucas Band)
Concert Area
9.30pm: Ira Losco Concert
Fireworks Competition
9pm – 9.15pm: Flames on the Grand Harbour from St Joseph Fireworks Factory, Ghaxaq
Voting: Fixed line – 5004 3993, SMS – 5061 5003
11pm – 11.15pm: The Chu-Han Contention from Yung-Feng
Firecrackers and Fireworks Co. Ltd, China
Voting: Fixed line – 5004 3994, SMS – 5061 5004
Monday
Ta Liesse Folk Area
8.30pm – Midnight: Ghanja tal-Poplu
VIP Seating Area
9pm – 10pm, 10.15pm – 11.45pm: Pops and More (Mark Spiteri Lucas Band)
Concert Area
8.30pm: Winter Moods Concert
Fireworks
10pm – 10.15pm: Italian Passion from Orzella Fireworks, Italy
Midnight – 0.15am: Winners of the Malta International Fireworks Factory 2006. Fire of Celebration, a final spectacle of fireworks and a laser show, from St Mary Fireworks Factory, Mqabba
Tickets for one concert: Lm5 (e11.65)
Tickets for all three concerts: Lm10 ((23.30)
Tickets for the concerts may be purchased from Go Mobile; Vodafone; Heat, Valletta Waterfront; Royal Impact, Zabbar; Blues Café, Embassy Complex, Valletta; Manchester Conquest Pub, Senglea; City Bar, Mosta; Where’s Everybody, Gwardamangia or from www.maltafireworksfestival.com Further information may be obtained by calling 2560-6200
VIP seating area: Lm4.50 (from Heat, Valletta Waterfront). Ticket hotline 9988-8869