On Friday, the first parade of the Pequeños Duendes Carnival will take place at the Costanera, and on Saturday, the first night of the main Carnival at the Corsódromo. With a triple schedule that concludes on Sunday with a new parade of the Pequeños Duendes in the neighborhoods, the city's greatest summer festival begins this weekend.
The comparsas, including Bella Samba, Ráfaga, Imperio, and Emperatriz, as well as the 14 participants of the children's carnival, are finalizing details for the first big night.
The final rehearsals before the debut, the completion of the floats and costumes, and the technical tests that the main comparsas are carrying out this Monday and Tuesday at the "Atanasio Bonfiglio" Corsódromo, mark the countdown to a popular and cultural festival that is experienced in a unique way in our city.
The Carnival of Passions about to start
On Monday night it was the turn of Bella Samba and Emperatriz, while Tuesday will be the turn of Imperio and Ráfaga. On the Corsódromo track, the four competing comparsas will perform the sound technical test. In this way, the rhythm of samba begins to vibrate on the carnival stage of Concordia. The tests begin at 8:30 PM and can be attended with free admission.
The schedule for the first parade on Saturday, January 20, will be as follows: Bella Samba, Imperio, Ráfaga, and closing with Emperatriz, the last champion.
"By decision of Mayor Enrique Cresto, we are working hard to make many improvements to the show as a whole for this edition," commented the President of the Carnival Entity, Matias Soto. "One of those decisions was to deliver the advance payments of the prizes to the comparsas with sufficient time in advance so that they can prepare better. It is the first time that the contributions have been delivered so many months in advance, as we did last October," recalled Soto.
"This Saturday will be a great opening night, with all the magnificent show that the four competing comparsas will provide us," he assured.
Tickets and opening of the venue
At a good pace and with many inquiries, the online sale of tickets continues for both the first and subsequent nights. The organization recommends purchasing them in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences. Through the official website of the Municipality www.concordia.gob.ar/carnaval, you can purchase both general admission tickets and tables in the VIP sector and pay for them with a credit card or print the payment voucher.
Afterwards, at Caja Mixta (Quintana 68), tickets can be exchanged. The hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Those who wish to buy tickets directly in person can go to Caja Mixta, where Carnival Entity staff carry out the process for everyone's convenience.
It is reminded that the price of tickets for the first night is as follows: advance general admission $120; retirees $100; children from 2 to 12 years old $60; and children under 2 years old pay a $30 insurance fee.
On Saturday, January 20, tickets at the Corsódromo box offices will be sold starting at 7:00 PM at the general price. The venue will be open for entry starting at 9:00 PM. Entry to the VIP Sector, Retirees, and People with Disabilities will be via Gobernador Cresto Street. Meanwhile, entry to the Grandstands, Youth sector, and Chairs will be via Próspero Bovino Street.
Pequeños Duendes: at the Costanera and on Tte. Ibáñez street
As a great prelude to the first night of the main Carnival, the Pequeños Duendes will bring rhythm and color to the Costanera of Concordia. "The kids are very anxious for the parades to begin. Many have already participated in previous editions, but for others it is their first time, and they are in each neighborhood finishing their costumes and practicing the dances to go out and parade this weekend," said Sonia Albornos, general coordinator of the Pequeños Duendes Carnival.
"The seedbed of the Concordia carnival is a festival of integration and participation, which is how Mayor Enrique Cresto promotes it," assured Albornos. "The main objective is for them to have fun, to share, and to find in art a way to express themselves and relate to others," she added.
On Friday, January 19, starting at 8:30 PM, on Avenida de los Pueblos Originarios, from Carriego Street to the Alte. Brown roundabout, the carnival seedbed will demonstrate why it is the most popular and fun festival. There will be 7 children's comparsas that will parade on this opening night, kicking off the 2018 edition. Then, on Sunday, January 21, on Tte. Ibáñez street between Feliciano and Nogoyá, the second parade will take place, to which all families are invited to attend, with free admission.