Choose your summer champions

Third group of five nominees: animations. Which one, in your opinion, is the coolest? More than ever, this scorching summer is synonymous with temptations: what wouldn't we give for a giant ice cream dripping with fresh fruit, a spot in the shade on a terrace to sip a large glass of mint water full of ice cubes... What could be more pleasant than a stroll in one of our many parks, taking a dip in a swimming pool, or participating in the major events that brighten up Brussels during these holidays. To mark this fantastic summer, we are launching this nice little competition: the "champions of the summer". Every day, we nominate five candidates for laurels in the categories: ice cream parlors (day before yesterday), parks (yesterday), animations (today), swimming pools (Saturday) and terraces (Monday 18th). After that? It will be up to you to play and elect the summer champion in each of these categories. All information on this subject in our next Monday edition. In your name, we will present a "Summer Champion" diploma to each winner... and there will be DVDs and cassettes to be won for those among you who have been the most insightful. > Saturday: swimming pools : animation 1 "ART ON COWS" Dates: until September 21st. Location: on several large intersections and arteries of the city, between the Bois de la Cambre and Brussels Park, passing through Place Stéphanie, Porte Louise, Toison d'Or, Place Poelaert, Le Sablon. Description: 185 resin cows are displayed by this non-profit organization, after having been decorated by various artists at the expense (in this heat!) of neighboring companies or businesses, who choose the theme. Our cows will then go to Tours et Taxi, to participate in the Heritage Days. Some will then be auctioned off for the benefit of charities. Price: free, of course. Advantages: the unusual and humorous side, you just have to see the amusement of children (and adults). And also the debate sparked by opponents of their advertising aspect... or by the jealous? : animation 2 THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY Dates: July 20th and 21st. Locations: Cinquantenaire, Heysel, Place des Palais, Jeu de Balle, Rue Haute, Parc de Bruxelles, Place Poelaert. Description: an event you enjoyed, as more than 200,000 of you attended one or other of the events: ball at Vieux Marché, party at the park and Rue de la Régence, exhibitions and festivities on Rue Haute, especially the mega-concert at Place Poelaert, in the presence of the sovereigns. Events that marked your summer! Price: shows and entertainment were all free. Advantages: the variety of activities offered for all tastes, from the most "official" (the parade) to the most "popular" (the ball at Vieux Marché), the quality of the "performances" offered (the concert at Place Poelaert), the good-natured participation of the royal family. : animation 3 BRUXELLES LES BAINS (BRUSSELS BY THE BEACH) Dates: until August 31st, from 11 am to 7 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, from 11 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Location: at Quai des Péniches, between Place Sainctelette and Pont des Armateurs, right side of the canal (entrance via Place Sainctelette). Price: access is free, as is the rental of "deckchairs", but you have to arrive early given the crowd. The same goes for the animations (ponies, face painting, climbing wall from 2 pm to 6 pm, breakdance and capoeira from 4 pm to 5:30 pm). However, plan a few euros for refreshments. Another free refreshment, the showers and the mist sprayer. Advantages: this gives more than just a taste of holidays to those who cannot leave: in fact, since the beginning of the month, nearly 200,000 of you have walked the Brussels "beaches"! : animation 4 LA FOIRE DU MIDI (THE MIDI FAIR) Dates: until Sunday, August 24th, from 1 pm to 1 am. Location: Boulevard du Midi, between Porte de Hal and Anderlecht. Description: more than 130 attractions or "trades", from the most "tame" for children (duck fishing, galloping horses, ponies) to the most "hair-raising" for teenagers or those who pretend to remain so at heart; bungee jumping, or "booster" for "G" collectors. To be consumed with discernment if you have lingered in the many hotspots of fairground gastronomy: donuts, croustillons, fries and other gambas! Price: from 2 to 15 € depending on the attractions. Advantages: "the" popular and family entertainment of the summer, a spectacle even to be contemplated from the outside, by strolling directly under the sun! : animation 5 LA ROLLER PARADE (THE ROLLER PARADE) Dates: every Friday (until August 29th inclusive) at 9 pm; return around 11 pm. Locations: a 20 km circuit starting from Carrefour des Attelages, passing through Avenue Roosevelt, Ixelles Cemetery, Boulevard Jacques, Place Flagey, Avenue Louise, Porte de Hal, Boulevard Anspach, Place Saint-Géry, Place de Brouckère, Place Rogier, Porte de Namur, Chaussée d'Ixelles, Avenue Louise and return to the Bois. Description: a rollerblading tour open to enthusiasts who know how to brake and turn! Price: free. Advantages: the "sport for all" and festive side, which each time attracts nearly 2,000 novices or confirmed participants. A well-organized security and emergency service, which explains only a few minor injuries per ride.