Bucking the trend of carnival weather and defying the threatened rain which was forecast to hit the city last night, Santa Cruz staged a glamorous and glittering opening to its 2012 Carnaval in a dry and balmy 18ºC.
Tenerife Magazine joined over a hundred thousand onlookers lining the route for the Cabalgata opening parade on Friday night which featured some 20,000 dancers, Murgas, musicians, fancy dress groups and of course, the newly crowned Infant, Third Age and Adult Carnaval Queens and their Dames.
Spanning more than three hours, the parade laughed, sang and danced its way through the city, setting the scene for the all night parties which will see the capital’s streets thronging with fancy dress clad crowds for the next eight days and nights.
Amongst the ‘celebrities” making an appearance in the parade, we spotted Michael Jackson, Captain Jack Sparrow (who’s remarkable resemblance to Johnny Depp had us doing a double take), Charlie Chaplin, Barbie and Harpo Marx.
Looking suitably refreshed after her gruelling schedule of photo shoots and interviews following the Gala Election on Wednesday night, Carmen Gil Gonzalez, Carnaval Queen 2012 waved and blew kisses to onlookers as she passed by in her spectacular costume ‘Imperio’, designed by Santi Castro.
When Tenerife Magazine interviewed Carmen the day after she was crowned Carnaval Queen 2012, she was hoping that the warmth of the crowd would make up for the lack of coverage in her costume as she braved the night air. In the event, the weather joined forces with the crowds to ensure her wish was granted.
¡Viva Carnaval!
