World Party

A member of Beija Flor samba school dances at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007.

A dancer performs on a 'Beija Flor' samba school float during carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007.

Revelers dance during 'Imperatriz' samba school carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007.

A reveler of the "Academicos do Salgueiro" samba school performs at the Sambadrome, during the second night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 19, 2007. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until Feb. 20.

Women dance samba at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. Thousands of dancers and hundreds of drummers from the city's premier samba groups known as "schools" are preparing for the annual carnival parade that began on February 18.

Carnival King Alex de Oliveira Silva, second from left, poses holding the key to the city with Queen Jaqueline Faria, second from right, First Princess Jaqueline Nascimento, left, and Second Princess Monica Nascimento, right, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. The main carnival parade started Sunday, Feb. 18.

Olney, England

School children race down a street during the Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. Shrove Tuesday heralds the beginning of fasting during Lent. The Olney pancake race has been held since 1445. In 1950 the race became an international event when a challenge was put to Olney from the town of Liberal, Kan.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

A reveler dressed in clothing that resembles a police officer's uniform rides his motorbike during the 'Coso' parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the Canary Island of Tenerife, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. During the 'Coso' parade every dancing group performs through the streets of Tenerife.

Rottweil, Germany

A reveler dressed in a "Federahansel " (Feather Jack) costume uses a stick to jump about during the traditional "Rottweiler Narrensprung" (Rottweil Fool's Jump) in Rottweil, Germany, Monday, Feb. 19, 2007. Some 3,000 people in traditional costumes participated in the colorful parade.

Rijeka, Croatia

Participants take part in a carnival procession in the Adriatic town of Rijeka, Croatia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

A dancer performs during the parade of Aguia de Ouro samba school at the Sambodrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007.

Panama City, Panama

Revelers celebrate during the last day of Carnival in Panama City, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. Carnival season ended after four days of celebrations marking the beginning of Christians Lent period, in preparation for Holy Week.

A reveler performs during the Carnival parade in Panama City, Panama, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.

Venice, Italy

A participant in a boat parade spits fire on the "Rio Canareggio" during Carnival festivities Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Venice, Italy. The Carnival traditionally celebrates the passing of winter, with parties, costumes and balls in the run-up to the Christian observation of Lent.

Italian 2004 Olympic swimming silver medalist Federica Pellegrini performs the traditional "Flight of the Angel" hanging from a cable over a St. Mark's square filled to capacity in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007. During this centuries-old ritual which marks the official beginning of Venice's Carnival celebrations, Pellegrini scattered paper confetti on spectators below.

A masked participant sits in a cafe in St.Mark's Square during Carnival festivities on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007 in Venice, Italy. The Carnival traditionally celebrates the passing of winter, with parties, costumes and balls, in the run-up to the Christian observation of Lent.

Cologne, Germany

Women dressed as Clowns dance in front of the Cologne cathedral in Cologne, western Germany, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, during the official opening of Cologne's Carnival. The first day is women's day.

Jacmel, Haiti

Haitian dancers perform during an annual Carnival rally Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Jacmel, Haiti. This Victorian village on Haiti's south coast has the best preserved example of late 19th century architecture reminiscent of New Orleans.

Verin, Spain

A masked villager attends a Carnival event in the village of Verin, northwestern Spain, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007. Carnival in Verin is one of the most original in Spain, with masked figures running through the streets brandishing whips and making noise with cowbells tied to their waists.

Touton, Spain

A donkey carries Monica and David, two costumed children, during Carnival festivities in the village of Touton, northwestern Spain, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007.