BRAZIL-CARNIVAL-RIO-BOLA PRETA

BRAZIL-CARNIVAL-RIO-BOLA PRETA

Revellers take part in the ‘Cordao do Bola Preta’ traditional carnival band parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 14, 2015. Carnival was under way in Rio on Saturday with millions set to take to the streets for days of rowdy, joyous parades and festivities, bringing the nation to a halt for its annual wild party. Nearly 800,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists were expected join Rio’s six million residents in the celebrations, whose climax comes on Sunday and Monday with the city’s top samba schools putting on their extravagant processions led by sexy dancing queens. AFP PHOTO/VANDERLEI ALMEIDA