Amid pounding drums and sequined-laden dancers, Mayor Eduardo Paes handed the keys to the city to King Momo, the mythical jester who reigns over the extravaganza.
Through Ash Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of merrymakers will take to Rio's streets in the nearly 500 open-air "bloco" parties. The most traditional of these bashes is expected to attract more than 1 million people to Rio's center area on Saturday.
Rio's tourism officials project that 918,000 tourists will descend on the city for Carnival. That's expected to inject more than $730 million into the local economy.
Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes (C) celebrates with the Queen (L) and the Princess of Carnival the Official Opening Ceremony of Rio de Janeiro's 2014 Carnival at Cidade Palace on February 28, 2014.
Carnival King Wilson Neto poses with the key to the city during the handing over of the ceremonial key to the city at Cidade Palace on February 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes (3R) hands over the ceremonial key to the city to the Rei Momo Wilson Neto (C) during the Official Opening Ceremony of Rio de Janeiro's 2014 Carnival at Cidade Palace on February 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes (3R) hands over the ceremonial key to the city to the Rei Momo Wilson Neto (C) during the Official Opening Ceremony of Rio de Janeiro's 2014 Carnival at Cidade Palace on February 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.
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