Over two million revellers hit the 2012 Rio Carnival in Brazil

PA

A day after King Momo officialy declared the Rio Carnival 2012 open, millions of revellers have his the streets in Brazil to party for the five-day festival.

Thousands dressed up Rio's oldest and most popular blocks street party, the Cordao da Bola Preta.

And celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie joined the throngs of people who gathered in the Sambadrome to watch the parades of floats and scantily-dressed dancers entertain the crowds.

PA

According to news.com.au, organisers said around 2.5 million people took part in the Bola Preta street parade that lasted nearly seven hours.

Fans donned all sorts of crazy outfits, including clown costumes, tutus, baby nappies, and monsters.

Back in 2008, the Bola Preta was listed as a Rio Cultural Heritage as it celebrated its 90th anniversary.

It's thought around 171 street parties took place across the city this weekend, and around 400 will take place over the entire festival, which is likely to attract four million partygoers and 850,000 tourists.

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