European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 11, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Visitors to the carnival in Malme by can expect a Rowdy yet family oriented atmosphere. While adults dressed in traditional carnival costumes Are prone to playing tricks on spectators it s also not unusual to see Small groups of elementary school age girls make a teen age boy jump a rope while playing a Kazoo. In Malme by Many of the spectators Are in costumes and Are generally accepted into the official parading and merrymaking. To do carnival the Best Way is having a group of people in costume in the streets of Malme by said Manfred Dahmen director of tourism for Belgium s Eastern cantons Region. And while a tic Pating in the Celebration visitors need not worry about getting hungry or thirsty along the Way. It seers that almost every other door in the Center of town leads into a bar or restaurant. The fare ranges from traditional belgian carnival  to pizza and hamburgers. One traditional dish is red salad which features herring apples nuts and other ingredients. Dahmen said the salad is popular during the three Day carnival because after eating it you can drink a lot of  one thing to watch out for during the Malme by carnival however is the parking. Many parts of the town Are closed to All vehicles even parked ones during the parades. One costumed carnival character said having a car on the Street during the parades would result in the travellers tips big belgian  information on Safe parking areas can be found at Almedy s tourist Center located in the place Duchatelet where one will also find the town s carnival museum. For More information on Malm by and it s carnival Contact the office of tourism at 080 330250. Binche located about 10 Miles from Mons and the shape Headquarters is quite different from Malm Day when it comes to carnival. Although there Are families with children at the Binche fete the Overall crowd is rowdies and fewer spectators Wear costumes. The carnival at Binche is a Mecca for hard Core partners in Belgium s colleges and universities and while they Are quite harmless Many drink to excess and Are prone to either stumble into or fall in front of other spectators. Because of the Champagne confetti shaving Cream oranges and other partying materials that seem to rain in Binche it s advisable to Wear either old clothes or a Large Raincoat during the festivities. While most carnival goers try to aim their Champagne foam and shaving Cream at friends innocent bystanders can expect to get hit at least once if they venture into the crowds. Despite the rowdiness the carnival at Binche is an event that has to be experienced to be believed and Worth trying at least once for anyone Young or Young at heart. The key to having a Good time during the madness said Binche police officer Jackey Martens is to have a Happy attitude and use  As in Almedy parking in Binche is restricted during the carnival and while you May not get a Fine if your car is parked inside the town you May return to it to find it has become a grandstand of sorts for spectators covered with shaving Cream and confetti or it May have a broken turn signal Lens or two from fireworks. Binche also has a carnival museum which focuses on masks. The International museum of the carnival and mask in Binche features traditional masks and other Celebration artefacts from countries around the Globe such As Greece Italy Canada Mexico Zaire and Bali. The museum is located on Rue do Saint Moustier in Binche. More information about it can be obtained by calling 064-335741. For further information about the town of Binche Call the office of tourism at 064-333721. It s Best to plan visits and Book hotel reservations to either town Well in Advance As carnival is the ultimate Celebration in Belgium and Many hotels Are booked solid months in Advance. John Millar faces of All Ages Are at the carnival in Almedy from the Hague the left to clowns above and the Long net or the Long noses below. Is photos by Dave Didio february 11, 1993 stripes Magazine