As Of Friday Rio’s Carnival Started Officially

In the Town Hall on Friday morning, Rio de Janeiro’s mayor Eduardo Paes gave the key to the city to the Royal Court, formed by King Momo, his queen and princess, launching the official start of the carnival in town.

110321-Carnaval 2011 - Paes entrega a chave da cidade ao Rei Momo - Foto Divulgação 540x333 100dpi

Rio de Janeiro’s mayor Eduardo Paes gave the key to the city to King Momo - Foto Divulgação

King Momo, Milton Jackson, symbolically assumed control of the city until next Wednesday. In style, the mayor danced the samba with King Momo, the queen and princesses of the carnival to music of the drums of Unidos da Tijuca and the Confraria do Garoto.

Bloco Cordão da Bola Preta in Rio - Photo Divulgação RioTur

Although the old-fashioned and traditional street carnival is everywhere, those who want to see the big parades and Rio’s beauties have to wait till Sunday night, when the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro will move through the Sambódromo in Sapucaí. In Rio de Janeiro, the parades take place on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 March.

Participants of the bloco Céu na Terra in Ro - Photo Reuters

Six samba schools pass through Sapucaí during the first night of performances. Another six will show their beauties and floats in the evening of Monday.

Participants of the bloco Céu na Terra in Santa Teresa, Rio - Photo Bruna Prado-Futura Press

The samba schools have between 65 and 82 minutes to please the 50 jurors, who must judge all requirements, taking or giving extra points according to what the school has on the Avenue. It is big business.

Participants of the Bloco da Lama are dressing up for the parade, Paraty in Rio - Photo Jadson Marques-Ag Estado

Samba school São Clemente opens the spectacle, followed by Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Portela, Unidos da Tijuca, Vila Isabel and Mangueira.
On Monday, União da Ilha parades, followed by Salgueiro, Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, Grande Rio, Porto da Pedra and Beija-Flor.