THE SAMBA SCHOOL PARADE
     The Samba Parade began in the 30's and has now a permanent home in downtown Rio at the Sambodrome. Today you can even watch the event on TV from dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states, but nothing beats participating in this greatest show on earth. Carnival, in effect, is not only the Samba Parade, but happens all over the city and takes on a special life through the streets of the city: you are more than welcome to watch and encouraged to participate.
       You need to experience the Samba School Parade at Rio´s Sambodrome at least once in your lifetime, they say! Although you can watch it on TV, you really have to mix with the crowd or even march with the samba school, to really experience carnival. Tickets to the event are quite expensive but definitely worth it: the parade is on Saturday and Sunday with 7 samba schools each day, starts at 7 p.m. and goes on until sunlight the next day, around 6 am, an incredible samba marathon. The parade is divided into sections (alas), with people wearing the same costumes and separated by floats to bring to life, all together, the school's chosen theme. Many floats have special effects, the size only limited by the narrow tree-lined streets that give access to the Sambodrome and by the sheer weight as men of the community - honored to participate in any way - are pushing them. 
       By tradition, some "alas" are mandatory, and play a very important role in the performance. Look out for the abre-alas, usually a men-only group with elaborate choreography, that marches in front of every the school. Ala das baianas is a section with women dressed in big round colonial-style skirts, the baianas, and one of the biggest attractions. There is a porta-bandeiras, a lady carrying the school flag, while the crowd cheers, and a mestre sala, her partner, who has the job of drawing everybody's attention to the flag. There are also children-only sectors with their own version of porta-bandeiras and mestre-sala. The bateria (percussion band) sets the beat preceded by a queen (rainha da bateria), and followed by a vocalist, the puxador. The last ala is usually the Velha guarda, a group of men in traditional white suit and Panama hat, representing the malandro, a traditional Carioca character.
       During Carnival, major streets are closed down to traffic, even bus routes are changed trying to avoid the inevitable jam as even Seniors and children of all ages participate in the event. So join in, you are welcome to participate, and it's free!