By Fiona Hurrell, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Sunday marks the second official day of Rio’s infamous Carnival, and the ‘blocos’ will reach epic levels again, drawing millions of revelers across the city for yet another day of fun filled and free celebration. Yesterday’s Cordão da Bola Preta bloco, a 93 year old tradition in Centro, brought a record 2.2 million people together, while the beach side bloco Banda de Ipanema brought together 85,000 people, according Riotur.
Today (February 19th), the blocos are set to be just as intense with many people planning to attend the popular, ‘Simpatia É Quase Amor’ event at 4PM. The party will be based in Praça General Osorio in Ipanema, providing easy access for anyone planning to arrive via the metro station.
Meanwhile, crowds in Rio’s party district Lapa will be treated to a sequence of afternoon blocos, starting with Dragão da Riachuelo on Rua Conselheiro Josino close to the Lapa arches. This will be followed by Banda dos Inválidos at 6PM from Rua dos Inválidos and later, Banda da Amizade at 7PM from Rua Tadeu Kosciusko.
Back in Zona Sul (South Zone), Acadêmicos do Vidigal will kick off at 3PM on Avenida Delfim Moreira, Leblon. The party is popular with tourists thanks to its fun and lively vibe and has become a regular at Rio’s Carnival, this being its sixteenth consecutive year.
Over in Copacabana, Bloco Banda Atlântica will take place from 6PM at Avenida Atlântica running along the beach, on the corner of Rua Constante Ramos. This bloco is renowned for its entertaining atmosphere, welcoming anyone and everyone to join in.
Also at 6PM, bloco Foliões de Botafogo will take place in Praça (square) Mauro Duarte in Botafogo. The bloco, which shares its name with one of the areas Grupo D samba schools, is one of Rio’s most traditional blocos, having been a regular at Carnival since 1950.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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