The Parade of Children's Samba Schools at the Sambodrome started at 5 p.m., and went on until very late at night. There is an open-doors policy on Friday. The Sambodrome was taken over by families coming from the suburbs, proud to watch their sons, daughters and grandchildren do the samba magic.

Children's Samba Schools follow may have as many as two thousand members each! They are divided in wings wearing coordinated costumes, just like the big-leaguers. There are also floats, passistas, a mestre-sala and porta-bandeira, a percussion band, baianas... The ingredients are the same, only the people are shorter.

We don't want to sound too partial, but Nova Geração da Estacio de Sá had a great performance. The theme, composed by Pedro Prado, was "Da Cozinha da Vovó, um Brasil de Gostosura" (From Granny's Kitchen, a Delicious Brazil). Enjoy our exclusive photos! Now it's time to warm up and catch Banda de Ipanema - right after the beach, of course.

Please click on picture to enlarge it.

Please click on picture to enlarge it.