SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Rio de Janeiro's famed Carnival bacchanalia hit full stride on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands roared into the streets for one of the city's oldest and by far its biggest "bloco" street party, the Bola Preta. Despite all that, the annual party, as always, must go on - vivaciously. São Paulo, Brazil's business capital, also hit its Carnival stride as scores of street parties clogged traffic and sent drunken and costumed revellers into streets, adding to an acumen that has been in growing in recent years. Over 38 parties should hit the city's streets on Saturday. Sao Paulo's "official" carnival parades - where bedazzled samba dancers and ornate floats make their way down an avenue, competing for the crown of Carnival champion, went into the early morning hours Saturday.

Source: The Star February 25, 2017 18:11 UTC