Although it takes place in mid-Lent and is outside the normal Carnival season, and it is in the middle of the Loire Valley rather than Rio, the annual Carnival at Cholet (49, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire) aspires to offer a riot of colour, music, parades, fireworks and other diversions on Sunday 2 April (daytime parade)and Saturday 8 April 2006 (nighttime parade). The night parade promises to be particularly spectacular as Fire is a particular feature of this version of Carnival, the origin of which was to destroy all traces of meat and fat for the Lenten period. The night procession ends with the ritual burning of one of the floats and fireworks. (NB Lent is "Careme" in French)
For more info see www.ville-cholet.fr
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Keywords: France,Anjou,Carnival,Cholet
