Carnivale in Acireale, 2013

Festivals are year round here in Sicily.  Most nights you can hear fireworks exploding from towns all around us.  In February, there is a particular festival called Carnivale that is similar to the American Halloween festivities.  Children dress in extravagant costumes and parades with intricate floats roam the city streets.  This year Greg was back in the States, so along with a friend, my kids and I loaded up and we were off for an adventure in Acireale.  My primary concern was parking.  Italian streets are not known for being, well, car friendly much less when many cars are involved.  Thankfully, we found a spot easy to load in and out of with just a short walk to the parade route. 

 

On the way down, we purchased a couple bags of confetti the kids use to throw at the floats, or at each other, or at me… or basically whatever or whoever is around!  We plant ourselves in a spot that is clear of people all round us.  Not 5 minutes later, we were bombarded by teenagers and a large group of nuns.  The entire block was clear and the entire block across from us was clear, so apparently we found the best spot and it was necessary for everyone to crowd around us.  Or maybe we are just that cool.

We cross the street and begin to be passed by some extraordinary floats!  

 

 

 

 

 

The kids had a blast throwing the confetti and we even met up with a couple of other friends.  After meandering through the venders, finding a booth filled with olive wood wares, and buying lighted swords (that I didn’t realize until it was way too late that they played obnoxious music), we made our way back to the car.

Now, I had the kids in a sit ‘n stand stroller and it was all good going downhill toward the festival.  On the way back, however, uphill with a 1,000 lbs stroller and 2 giant kids (that’s how it felt anyways), I just about died.  Exercise isn’t my thing but totally worth it for the great time we had!

**Special thanks to my friend Rebecca for several of these pictures