Aix-en-Provence Carnaval 2012

This weekend we went to the Aix-en-Provence Carnaval (where I took way too many photos).

Last year was a blast and I'm happy to report this year didn't disappoint either.

We tried to get the same viewing spot as before on the grass around the large Rotonde fountain, but the whole thing had been decorated with fabric and cushions and fenced off:

With some interesting-looking machines placed in the basin:

The usual pre-parade festivities were in full swing - namely confetti:

And of course silly string:

This year's theme was La Fabrique de Rêves or The Dream Factory - explained in the literature as everything to do with the night: the real-life, the cabaret, psychedelic night parties (!), dreams, nightmares, angels and demons.

A lot of stuff to cover and they did that and more!

We started with these harbingers of doom:

Then progressed to the Moulin Rouge:

The guy driving the tractor pulling the cabaret float cracked me up:

grumble, why do I always have to pull the float with the guys dressed up as girls?

Next came the shoe cars:

Pushed by these guys. No VPL here as they're all wearing thongs (Bada-BOOM!)

I have no idea what this is all about:

The mister remarked he must be a bike rider.

Toight like a toiger

Some of the psychedelic party I suspect:

No idea:

I think this fellow represented bedtime stories:

His head is made of books:

This percussion band was one of about four playing throughout the parade. (Does percussion include drums? I can never remember. There were drums and things you shake and things you bang with gongs. That's my technical analysis.)

Confetti canons!!

Another big eye, this time in slippers with boxing gloves and angel wings. Still a mystery.

This float was really well made:

Great attention to detail. Look at those teeth!

A man-eating tree:

And all his friends

Caged angel or demon?

Isn't confetti in your beard just the worst?

More angels:

The Sun King in all his glory (great use for left over gift bows/ribbon - make a wig!)

I think these ladies represented the fires of hell. Or they were advertising KFC Zingers.

Like last year, the floats paused for a while at the Rotonde fountain. The bands were all playing and everyone crowded around to see what the grande finale would be.

Waiting...

BOOM!

FEATHERS!

And more feathers!

For the love of poultry, won't someone think of the chickens? Sob.

The pillows (full of feathers) were all thrown into the crowd to encourage a full-on feather brawl!



I only put this one in because I love what King Louis is up to in the background:

This was after we pulled most of the feathers out. We lost him for a while there:

Honestly, it was like nothing I've ever seen before - the mess was spectacular and I have no idea how they cleaned it up. How on earth will they top this next year?

There will be feathers floating through Aix until next Carnaval I suspect. (I wish I'd taken a photo of the kids making feather angels - you know, like snow angels, but in the feathers.)

Lots of photos, but I hoped to make you feel like you were there without having to leave your chair or fish feathers out of your bra!