Rio’s Non-Official Carnival Opens With 70 Blocos as Rain Fails to Dampen Turnout

Overview

• The Desliga dos Blocos collective launched the annual opener Sunday across central Rio, activating a roster published at @desligadosblocos.
• Persistent showers from early morning did not halt festivities, as crowds gathered around blocos such as Love Songs at Praça Marechal Âncora.
• The family-focused Aberturinha began at 9 a.m. at Aterro do Flamengo with games, storytelling and a children’s band.
• Around 70 groups are performing in stationary sets and cortejos, and organizers urge arriving before posted departure times to join concentrations.
• The flagship Boi Tolo leads a collective cortejo scheduled for 5 p.m., with the starting point to be announced on @boitolo.