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Masks are a major part of Venice
Carnaval
Rio de Janeiro's annual celebration attracts revelers from the world over, and although the partying starts weeks prior, Carnaval is actually only a four-day event (this February 2–5, 2008) that ends the day before Ash Wednesday (known as Fat Tuesday). Dancers in exotic itsy-bitsy costumes, scantily clad bathing beauties, and carousing Cariocas (as the locals are known) hit the streets, particularly so Praça General Osório, just two blocks from Ipanema Beach, where the Banda de Ipanema puts on its famous drag-queen parade. The culmination of Carnaval – the official Samba Parade that takes place at the Sambodromo downtown – is the celebration's highlight.
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