Carnival always breathes life into the economy of Vila Vintem, on Rio de Janeiro’s west side, but this year there’s even more, with its Unidos de Padre Miguel samba school back in the top parade league for the first time in 57 years.

With colorful costumes decorated with feathers and glitter, Rio de Janeiro's samba schools paraded at the Sambodrome on the first day of Carnival on Friday (February 28) night. The parade competition is one of the top attractions of the annual Carnival celebrations.

In Rio de Janeiro, the world-famous parades have begun at the Sambadrome that kick off the Brazilian megacity's Carnival celebrations. Several samba schools, competing for promotion to the spectacle's elite class,