Fiesta's over, time to bring on Carnival

PALMA
IF you fancy getting involved in this year's Sa Rua Carnival, now is your chance.
Palma Council is registering groups and floats for this year's parade on February 3 at its offices in the Plaza Santa Eulalia between 9am and 2pm until January 31 and from 9am to 1pm on February 1.

As well as the chance to dress up in outlandish costumes, there's the added incentive of winning a few quid. There are five prizes in both the group and float categories worth between 150 and 1'200 euros.

This is the same amount as last year but Palma Council has indicated that this may change next “to encourage participation”. One change to the format already in place this year is the incorporation of the Carnival dance in the Borne. There is also a possibility that, unlike previous years, the judges will not remain apart but will mix with the public.

It has also been confirmed that representatives of citizens groups such as the Federation of Residents Associations will form part of the judging panel.

Lastly, there is no alternative plan if it rains on February 2 and 3, which are the days for the “Sa Rueta” and “Sa Rua” carnivals.
This year the Carnival parade will not go down Es Born and round the Plaza de la Reina due to the introduction of the Carnival dance.
The Carnival procession will start at the Paseo Mallorca, go down Calle Jaime III to Plaza Joan Carlos I and continue down the Calle Union, leaving out the Borne and Plaza de las Reina. From there it will continue down the Calle Navarra, and the Ramblas, before finishing at La Misericordia.

The music for the Carnival dance has yet to be confirmed, but the Christmas lights will be on and there will be other elements which will make the dance a novelty.