Up to 4,000 scouts, guides, expected for Sunday`s parade

A joint parade by the Scouts and Guide movements in Valletta on Sunday will also see the participation of the air and sea scouts after an absence of many years.

The event will begin with Thanksgiving Mass at scout island headquarters, opposite Sarria Church in Floriana at 9.30 a.m.

At 11 a.m., all participating scout groups and guide companies will form up the Floriana granaries and at 11.30 march off to City Gate, down Republic Street into Archbishop Street and up Merchants Street.

There will be around 4,000 scouts and guides in 40 scout groups and 30 guide companies, including 11 scout bands.

Of particular note in this year`s parade will be the re-appearance of air and sea scouts.

After an absence of almost 36 years, sea scouts, members of the Msida Sea Scout Group, will be marching with the north district.

The air scouts, from the St Augustine Air Scout Group, will be bringing up the rear of the central district.

The parade will be escorted, weather permitting, by three microlight aircraft. The Scout Fellowship and the Island Trefoil Guild will this year also form part of the parade. Another reappearance will be the mascots of the respective groups.

President and Mrs Guido de Marco, who are patrons of the respective associations, will take the salute at Palace Square.