Scouts and girl guides gather en masse today

Around 4,500 scouts and girl guides are expected to gather today for the Joint Annual Parade.

The event, organised by the Scout Association of Malta and the Malta Girl Guides Association are teaming up for the eighth time for the parade.

This event, formerly known as St George's Day and Joan of Arc Day, has long been the showpiece event of the respective associations.

The participants will 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 Mass and at 10.15 a.m. all participants will gather on the Floriana Granaries in the prescribed order of marching and half an hour later they will march towards Valletta.

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.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Scout Association of Malta.