Carnaval Nice!

 February 18 marked the beginning of the 2011 Carnaval de Nice.  The 127th Nice Carnaval, this year's theme is Roi de la Mediterranee, and here he is.  OK, this funny squid is all over town, but he's the mascot, not the king.  The King, Queen, and her court were installed at the foot of the Place Massena two nights ago with great pomp and ceremony.  These benevolent rulers will remain on their thrones throughout the Carnaval, which continues until Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) March 8.

 

Pictured here, the Royals stand about five stories high and are lighted and guarded 24/7.

 
Carnaval in Nice is, apparently, a lot like Rio!

 
 
The Flower Parade participants had fun with the Mediterranean theme.  We especially enjoyed the array of inflatable sea creatures. 

Kids of all ages are having a great time. We were confetti'd and string'd at least twice yesterday, and apparently the flowers on the floats from the parade are up for grabs at some point, because just about everyone walking by our window later had flowers of some sort.


It's a rainy Sunday today, so the next parade will have to go on without us, but we'll be back into the mix tomorrow.  Right after laundry and shopping.