Bigger venue for boat show

The HSBC Valletta Boat Show is taking place at Flagstone Wharf in Marsa, known as Il-Menqa.

Considered to be Malta's premier maritime exhibition, the show attracted over 8,000 visitors when it was last held. John Formosa, managing director of Network Publications, who is organising the show, said the popularity of the event and the demand for exhibition space resulted in this new and larger venue for this year's show which constitutes double the exhibition area of the previous year.

The show this year features over 60 boats berthed alongside the quay, which is over 370 metres long.

During the inauguration of the show, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, Austin Gatt said the government had launched a public consultation to redevelop Il-Menqa by converting it into a commercial and recreational space. This forms part of the government's plan for the revival of the Grand Harbour area.

A variety of food stalls have been set up for the duration of the show this weekend, catered by the Arrigo Group and offering a selection of world cuisine including sushi and Indian food.

A number of activities will be held for children, including jugglers, rock climbing activities, balloon modelling and face painting, among others.

The show will be open this morning until 1 p.m., this afternoon from three to 11 and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.

www.vallettaboatshow.com