'Lovely' street party fails to draw the crowds

Franco Davies

Jan 4th 2010, 13:39

From what I can understand from the definition of the word "crowds".....what I saw on the night after 9pm....there was definately a large crowd, and who was present can safely agree.

LUCIA DAVIES

Jan 2nd 2010, 20:47

My my here we go again, complain after complain, admit it was a cheap night for all, if anyone wanted leather sofas to sit on they should have gone to one off the 5 stars hotels in Floriana just down the road. I admit in front and behind the stage it was packed with people, that is always the way people flock close to the stage to watch the show, we were standing just two blocks down and were comfortable in enough space having a drink or two. well all those that have nothing in favour to say know what they have to do next year, if its held again. A few years back we paid a steep 100 Malta liri each for a NYE meal and show in one of our Hotels (not in Floriana) which was not satisfying at all, this was free so whatever went wrong we just ignored,

Lawrence Attard

Jan 2nd 2010, 17:45

I think the Floriana mayor and council should be congratulated for such an idea. I hope that next time they would try and give an example and orgaize an "Alcohol Free" event as they do in Toronto, Canada. It would also be nice if people attending would be encouraged to dispose of their garbage in the bins as opposed to leaving it on the street. Happy New Year to all.

c mifsud

Jan 2nd 2010, 16:01

Well done Floriana Local Coucil, nice atmosphere, no entrance fees, great parking facilities (park & ride), very very reasonable charges for the drinks (€1.50 alcohol shots) and great entertainment by local artists and a great band. In other places you had to pay round €35 for just finger foods and entrance fee and who knows how much you have to pay for the drinks (if you call them drinks)!!! Hope that this street party will be held again cause it was a party that all the family can enjoy without being ripped off and maybe with the collaboration of the public transport. Prosit.

Dennis Zammit

Jan 2nd 2010, 14:12

All the fuss about this NYE party . . . . a mega flop.

We went together with our son to see this 'Christmas Parade' so much advertised by the Floriana Local Council to find just a few girls aged from around 4 to 16 so called dressed as Santas so called dancing to the rhythm of extra loud music.

The ONLY other spectators where the parents of the young dancers walking along the 'parade'.

The 3 lanes heading towards Valletta could have been closed to traffic a few minutes before as they only had a few plastic tables and chairs and small tents with wooden tables. There was no need of closing the road from the morning.

The Mayor can just boast that he tried to invent an event to bring some drinking and junk food eating to the catering business in Floriana. More over, this event has created a precedent where local councils can close arterial roads for one day events without the need of the police being present using ignorant and uneducated local wardens whose job was the only one available without any basic education.

s. fenech

Jan 2nd 2010, 13:16

may i add to my previous comment that the prices charged at the temporary bars set up along the street were quite reasonables. for a couples of shorts we were charged all through the evening/ night less than 5 euros. considering that it was new year's eve, and i hadn't paid a cent for the good entertainment provided, i was great value all aound. thanks nigel and your council

Rita Mifsud

Jan 2nd 2010, 13:09

@A.Bonnici

So...time square is a really bad place then, as there's no arches. Sorry ta, imma safety comes before possible rain (which would've ruined the show notwithstanding, since the show was not under the arches but out on the road). If for you, all that worries you, is cloudy with a chance of meatballs, Get your priorities right. Lights can easily be setup on the granaries.

Dont know if you had children with you, but people who did, or had older people with them have to be cautious, and rain is the last thing that worries them.

s. fenech

Jan 2nd 2010, 13:01

@Nigel Holland
with my family and friends we were at the street party organised by your local council. we had a whale of time, leaving your party at 1.30pm still dancing away! what a great party it was, all around us we could see whole families and friends having a great time. the stage was great, good band , singers and prsenters. for us it was one of the best new year's binge we have been to. prosit nigel to you and your team!

J Spiteri

Jan 2nd 2010, 12:49

I was there with my wife and my 2 children from around 7.45pm. The atmosphere that greeted us was really, really wonderful with a joyful band that deserves a 100%. However, one must also take into account that the night was very windy and my children were making an effort to continue having fun. Also, the prices charged for train rides, of 1.5 euros for just a 1 minute ride made us decide to leave as early as possible with both of my children crying, as it costed us 6 euros for just 2 minutes on the train for both of them. VERY unreasonable!!!
To conclude, it was indeed a lovely street party but the entertainment offered must be part of a lovely atmosphere to enjoy and NOT to beware that your children won't notice!!

A. Bonnici

Jan 2nd 2010, 12:41

For a first time trial....WELL DONE to Floriana's local council's initiative....It was simply great, especially for families to meet at a public central place and celebrate new year there.

I believe despite all this grumbling, it was well planned...the street was well lighted and decorated and if the weather was windy or with isolated showers people could still find refuge under the street's arches so it makes it better than the granaries. There were food and drink stalls available and a lot of entertainment for all, yet ample of parking spaces (though with available public transport till late could have helped further) and the place was well monitored by the police and medical aid. Though obviously there is always room for improvement and belive that if it will be held next year, it will be always better, I still believe it was enjoyed by the Maltese and foreigners (who were quite plentiful) alike.

R.Abela

Jan 2nd 2010, 12:04

I was there from 6:15pm to 12:45am. I fail to understand why this activity was not held on the granaries. The roads were narrowed out with stalls and tables, at various points, people had to squeeze between tiny spaces to make it through, making the environment dangerous for children and older people. Had an accident happened, it would have been a job to get through the crowds, especially closer to the stage. While I would agree with the mayor that it was a success - maybe next year the council should consider moving it to the fossos to gain more open spaces. (apart from which you dont get the people stepping on the plants on the center stip)

victor pulis

Jan 2nd 2010, 11:37

"Despite their(the police) initial objections, we were later informed by the police they would not stop the event.
Which statement begs the question;
Was a formal permit issued and if not, why?
In case it was issued why did the police object to the holding of the event in the first place?
And what sort of government funding did the council have?

Dorianne Vella

Jan 2nd 2010, 10:59

On our way to Floriana by bus, we asked the driver until what time is the service running. He answered 'sat-tlieta'!! which i doubt if that was true, since we went back at the terminus at about quarter past two, and no buses were in sight! As they say 'b'tal-linja jaqbillek'!!!

Franco Farrugia

Jan 2nd 2010, 10:34

1. I find it strange that the Police were not co-operative in this activity. It is not so difficult to close St Anne Street - there is a one-way side-street to Valletta and another one-way street from Valletta - so where is the fuss? I think that the Police authorities should give a more convincing reason as to why they were against this activity.
2. I find it strange that the LC decided to go ahead with its plans and bring in privately-owned security officers in the shape of wardens. Wardens are not police-officers; wardens do not have the training and do not have the public support of the Maltese when it comes to maintaining law and order. And that's putting it mildly.Very mildly.
3. Public transport - hopefully, this time next year there will be a different system in place and hopefully,if there is another similar activity, there will be police cooperation.
4. I was not at the function and therefore cannot judge, except by the extremely short video-clip that I saw. All I can say is that we must stop trying to emulate what other countries have been doing over many years and which has now become tradition.