The carnival banner arrived at the town hall of Patras at noon on Saturday, marking the start of the great carnival celebration that is being held again this year in the Achaean capital. The percussion group Ritmo Loco Street Band, accompanied by the Jury, was at the Three Allies square and from there left for the City Hall, stirring with their percussion, followed by the X-Saltibagos, the carnival bikes, the President of KEDIP-Patras Carnival Ira Kouri and the members of the Board of Directors, the Queen of the Patriarchal Carnival Georgia Sakka, members of the Advisory and Judging Committee, Volunteers, the auctioneer Maria Agouridis with the Musical Chariot and the rest of the participants and carnivalists.

The procession was welcomed at the door of the City Hall by the Mayor of Patreon who, under the carnival music of the Municipal Music, received the carnival banner from the president of KEDIP-Carnival of Patras. The event closed with the well-established custom of the chocolate war by the Mayor, the President of KEDIP and the representatives of the chocolate lovers’ associations “Chocolate Riches”, “Chocolate Runs”, “Chocolate Maniacs”, “Chocolate Battles”, “Chocolate Players” offering their own sweet touch with their chocolate sprinkles from the balcony of the City Hall.

Patras carnival

The banner of the Patrinos Carnival 2024 will remain hung in the Town Hall until the end of the events (March 17), marking the great celebration of the carnival capital.

Patras carnival

Patras carnival

After the handover of the carnival flag, the Ritmo Loco Street Band and the X-Saltibagos left for George Square, where they became one with the crowd, dancing to Afro-Latin rhythms to the sound of the percussion.