Ground fireworks festival on Saturday

The IV Malta Mechanised Ground Fireworks Festival 2010 is being held by the Floriana Council on Saturday from 10.30 p.m. in St Publius Square, Floriana.

Ten factories were originally taking part but St Sebastian of Qormi pulled out after two men died in a blast at its factory in Feburary.

The festival, which was originally to be held last weekend but had to be moved because of the Pope’s visit, is being held in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Councils.

Mayor Nigel Holland said he was concerned that the Papal Stage was being dismantled too slowly since this could interfere with the festival.

He said the organisers had promised it would be removed but they were now realising that this could not be done so quickly.

The mayor said that safety was being taken very seriously measures to avoid accidents and injuries were being taken.

The judging will be made in an international jury, with an input through televoting.

This year's participants will be St Bartolomew fireworks factory, Gharghur; St Joseph fireworks factory and Sta Marija, fireworks factory, Ghaxaq, St Andrew, Luqa; Sta Marija, Mqabba; Victory, Naxxar; St Joseph, Zebbug; Zejtun Musical Society, and St Catherine, Zurrieq.