Rocking it like Rio! Notting Hill Carnival sees hundreds of thousands on the streets for Europe's biggest festival

By JAMES WHITE



Tickertape parade: Dancers scream with delight as they take part in the 2011 Notting Hill Carnival



They came in their hundreds of thousands to dance and have a good time, Rio de Janeiro-style.



And today revellers let their hair down in style at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London, with drumming groups, floats and sound systems all taking centre stage.



More than 6,500 police officers were patrolling the streets for the second day of the event as Scotland Yard continued its unprecedented security operation just weeks after the riots.



By 3pm, 17 people had been arrested, bringing the total held over two days to 99.





Main event: Drummers take to the streets of Notting Hill, west London, to perform on the second day of the carnival







Good time girls: Performers brave slightly chilly conditions in their incredible costumes





Huge event: The streets of Notting Hill and surrounding areas are filled with revellers





Record numbers of police officers were on duty, with London's reputation at stake in the wake of widespread violence and looting earlier this month.



The festivities got off to a peaceful start yesterday, with more than 5,500 officers on the streets, as revellers descended on the capital for Europe's biggest street festival.



Between 6am on Sunday and 8am today there were 88 arrests for a variety of offences, including drugs possession, public order, theft, criminal damage, robbery and assault, the Metropolitan Police said.





Flamboyant: A woman shows off her carnival costume, left, while another displays her dancing skills





Record police presence: Scotland Yard has put 6,500 officers on duty today for the carnival





Colourful: The event is expected to draw one million people to the area, making it Europe's largest street festival







Say cheese: A woman makes ingenious use of her camera to help her apply make-up today





Officers from the dog support unit also seized three Pit-Bull type dogs under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act but no-one was arrested, the force added.



Last night, Commander Steve Rodhouse announced there would be a larger police operation in place today, with yesterday's 5,500 officers increased to 6,500.





What a day: These participants enjoy themselves while wearing dramatic headgear





Delicious: Chefs prepare industrial quantities of jerk chicken for the hungry masses





Party time: A happy dancer





Fun times: More women join the party as a policeman looks on







Putting on a show: Dancers give a dramatic performance for the Bank Holiday crowds



source: dailymail

Happy Independence Day! New York and Washington lead the nation in Fourth of July fireworks celebrations

By FIONA ROBERTS

Red white and blue: Fireworks explode over the Hudson River in New York


The nation's most extravagant display of July 4 fireworks was a triumphant celebration that turned solemn briefly to commemorate the 10-year mark since the September 11 attacks.

Tens of thousands of people from all over the world streamed to Manhattan's West Side to see the pyrotechnics show over the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, featuring more than 40,000 shells exploding in choreographed, multicolored progression.

The show, sponsored by Macy's, paid tribute to the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's début in New York Harbour. Fireworks blasted off from six barges along the river to heights of 1,000 feet.


Cheer up, it's a party! President Barack Obama picks up a child as he greets military families during Independence Day celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington


As 'Amazing Grace' was sung, bursts of golden fireworks lit up the sky to pay tribute to victims of 9/11. Big cheers broke out in the crowd during the finale.

Today President Barack Obama hosted a barbecue at the White House, while thousands of revellers camped out by the Washington Monument to catch a glimpse of the annual fireworks display.


Big Apple: The Empire State Building is illuminated with red, white and blue lights from across the East River in New York


Capitol: The Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington is lit up as fireworks burst in front of the Washington memorial


Spectacular: A view of fireworks above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial and Memorial Bridge on the National Mall in Washington


'It's beautiful,' said Rosa Riveras, a 57-year-old health educator from northern Manhattan, as bursts of light filled the sky.

'It's amazing. I'm loving it.'


Stunned: Spectators watch fireworks explode over the Hudson River from 42nd street New York


Star-studded event: Beyonce rehearses before the annual Macy's fireworks show in New York tonight, in which 40,000 fireworks exploded from the Hudson


NBC ran an exclusive broadcast from a pier along the river, with Nick Lachey of the show The Sing-Off hosting.

Viewers got pre-recorded performances by Beyonce, filmed in front of the Statue of Liberty, and country music star Brad Paisley.

Then the fireworks lit up the sky, tightly choreographed to a half-hour soundtrack from Katy Perry, LeAnne Rimes, Jennifer Hudson and other artists.

Beth Cochran of Scottsdale, Ariz., was with two childhhood friends from Fishkill, N.Y. The group of three periodically broke into renditions of 'God Bless America' and other patriotic songs.'


Gaze: People watch as fireworks are shot over the National Mall in Washington, DC from along the shore of the Potomac River


Getting ready: A military colour guard prepares for the playing of the National Anthem during the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert rehearsal last night


Thanks: U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle stand with U.S. servicemen


The president and first lady Michelle Obama greeted more than 1,200 guests from a White House balcony Monday evening. After brief remarks, the first couple stood in the driveway and shook hands with visitors.

'You represent the latest in a long line of heroes who have served our country with honor, who have made incredible sacrifices to protect the freedoms that we all enjoy,' Obama said.

'You've done everything we could've asked of you,' he said, also recognizing the 'families that serve alongside of you with strength and devotion.'

This is the third year the first family has celebrated July Fourth with service members and their families.


Walkabout: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk from the Truman Balcony as they go to greet members of the crowd


Go Bulls: President Obama greets a man who identified himself as a fellow Chicagoan at the White House's Independence Day barbeque


Heave! President Obama holds up a baby as he greets members of his staff and military servicemen and women


Our nation tis of thee: Young woman roar with delight as they await fireworks near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington DC


Distant celebration: U.S. soldiers eat a Fourth of July-themed lunch in honour of Independence Day at Camp Clark in Mandozai district, Khost province, Afghanistan


Celebration: U.S. soldiers cut an Independence Day cake in the Mandozai district, left, and right, outgoing U.S. commander General David Petraeus gives a speech to 235 soldiers re-enlisting in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. It's his last Fourth of July in uniform


Far-flung patriotism: U.S. guided-missile destroyer U.S.S McCampbell (DDG 85) sails past the Opera House in Sydney, Australia on the Fourth of July


Obama told his guests Monday that the occasion was 'a chance to get out of the uniform, relax a little bit and have some fun.' Red, white and blue lanterns decorated trees on the South Lawn and miniature American flags adorned more than 50 tables spread across the yard.

Children wearing face paint in the patriotic colours played with balloon animals. Providing the music for the celebration: rock band Train, singer-songwriter Amos Lee and the U.S. Marine Band.

The concert was presented by the USO in its 70th year of providing support for Americans in the military.


Iconic: Fireworks illuminate the night sky and are reflected in the Potomac River with the Washington Monument


The scorching heat has put a dampener on July the Fourth celebrations in the South and West, after firework displays were cancelled in many towns in New Mexico, Texas and Georgia amid fears they could spark wildfires.

Instead, they joined millions who tuned in to the New York show, entitled 'Gift of Freedom', in which more than 40,000 fireworks were ignited on floating barges on the city's West Side.

Stars including Beyonce and Brad Paisley performed, in a display which paid tribute to the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.


Stunning display: Light from the fireworks show on the roof of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is reflected in the water


Starting early: Tourists watch Independence Day weekend fireworks explode over Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as the Bellagio fountain show plays in the foreground


Patriotic day: Caden and Lauren Lackey, both five, watch the LibertyFest Fourth of July parade in Edmond, Oklahoma



Small town, big party: A couple kiss during the Independence Day fireworks display in Independence, Iowa


Performers also commemorated the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with an emotional rendition of Amazing Grace.

Bill Schermerhorn, the show's creative director, said: 'Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has proudly stood in New York Harbor at the gateway to the American dream.

'This year's show will reflect both the united pride of our nation and the variety of our dreams, with light-hearted celebratory songs and emotional patriotic standards. It's a birthday celebration for all of us.'


World-famous contest: A huge crowd gathers to watch in Coney Island as the extreme eaters battle it out for the the hot dog eating crown


Extreme eating: Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas, right, triumphs against Juliet Lee after eating 40 hot dogs at the annual contest in Coney Island


Champions: Joey 'The Jaws' Chestnut and Sonya 'The Black Widow' Thomas celebrate after winning the men's and women's competitions at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York


Getting into the holiday spirit: Spectators gather with patriotic t-shirts and flags before the start of the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, New York


Anticipation: Excited fans gather to see if Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut can claim the hot dog eating title for the fifth consecutive year


Meanwhile in Coney Island, the biggest eaters from around the world will gather for the annual Nathan's July Fourth hot dog eating contest. For the first time, the firm will sponsor separate competitions for men and women, who will split the $20,000 prize money.

Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut of San Jose, California, will be hoping to claim the title for the fifth consecutive year. Last year he wolfed down 54 hot dogs and buns in the ten-minute contest.

Celebrations also started early in Afghanistan, where the outgoing U.S. commander, General David Petraeus, marked his last Fourth of July in uniform by speaking to his troops during a re-enlistment ceremony in the south of the country.


4th of july .. in new york ! independence day fireworks !




Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2011 in NYC


Teen Beat NYC


4th of July Fireworks New York City



source: dailymail

Festival unusual interest throughout the world.

 

Spa tomato festival.
Location: Abu StarCore Spain
Time: last Wednesday of August.
Spain might be considered a party city in the world. Spa Tomato Festival is held every last Wednesday of August. No Bull million in city Valencia. This festival of their own heritage for a period of more than 60 years, the festival is the biggest food fight in the world. Held in honor of Saint evening and eat for 1 week, the event will be a parade and fireworks competition cooking. But what it does not get much attention forestry tomato Approximately 140 tons of tomato trucks to drive into the city park in the morning. When the fireworks in time to signal for battle Spa tomatoes after 1 hour fireworks will be shot into the air again to end the war as a sign of tomato. And water trucks would come clean. Participants should wear goggles and gloves. And the main rule to remember is that it beat the squeeze tomatoes before Spa.

 

Festival Golden Sheer send.
Location: Bora Bora take sensitivity in New Zealand.
Duration: March of each year.
Every March, young women will be joining vie skills in order to championship top technicians shearing sheep of the year in this event for a period of three days and began to organize formally in 1961 has been very popular up to be. the military to take care of the crowds in the hundreds of today's flat race was broken down into various categories. As well as the levels of expertise. Each category can have a technician shearing sheep to join as many as 120 people in the last few years. Festival Golden NH, and a concentration of more and more serious. Because people are dedicated to racing full time training for this big event. Any barber wants to change the atmosphere to try to cut some wool in a hurry to book hotels in New Zealand tenable at all.

 

Running of the Bulls Festival.
Location: Expo million pumps Na (Na Barrett), Spain
Schedule: July 6, noon - midnight on July 14.
This festival kicks off with the attendance of reckless daring enough to run. The streets of Santo Domingo in the pump's Expo million with a bison herd. The first run will start on July 7 after the missile has been launched into the sky. When the bull run to end of road already. They are locked up in pens. Before it is released later to face with the paint's a success. Running against the Bison this Will be held every day throughout the week. This will provide opportunities for those looking for a provocative test of courage and credit. Assurance that the Dmeor. The following is a festival originated from a young man walked to focus on bison. Next to the field test

Nude Festival.
Location: all over Japan.
Period: January or February.
Which festivals are about nudity are often involved with is always fun, "said Hal David Thomas Ka Fujitsu River" or nude festival in Japan. Festival is the only man to wear only one piece of fabric Tiew. This work was in many ways. Cities in Japan. From evening to late lapse. The participants will have one person hide a naked man in the middle of the wearer. Tiew many fabrics. Believed that if they touch a naked man who will bring happiness and fortune. Attendance others Has to go together to interrupt this for a nudist. With drinking cold sake to quench. Popular place for festivals such as the Electronic by NASA in the end. Waves to the crowd moved to the temple and in the midnight. Wood will throw his two bars to a group of people which represent an even better luck, as well as send a signal that an end to the search for nude male body has already

Cheese Rolling Festival in Cooper Hill.
Location: Brock Werth (Gold Chester NH), England
Schedule: Last Monday of May.
Festival is held every year on Cooper Hill has more than 200 years, at noon the first Monday of May. Double cheese cubes. Glucosamine Manchester big is rolling down the hill. In another split-second later. Participants will run in tandem into a crowd But honestly say that running downhill is something extremely difficult. The wet conditions combined with the mud and cold by then. Not surprising that most of the rolling somersault somersault down costly. Cheese Rolling Festival is a race with five categories, one of which is the only race of women. All winners will go home before the cheese, while No. 2 and 3 will be paid for parking.

Festival Ross Wales UFO
Location: Ross Wales New Mexico.
Schedule: July 4 (or near that date) of each year.
Acts of July 1947 a farmer discovered the remains of a UFO the U.S. Army confirmed the same, it takes about 2 hours before the changes at a later statement. That it was checking the weather balloons. It became a notorious case in a while. Swallowing and was lost with time, with nearly 30 years until the other day. Fan UFOs are real interesting trends point up again. After interviewing people involved with the incident, which claimed that official. America has secrets to hide. It became a festival, Ross Wales, held at the place said that a UFO falls. By those who believe in Hanผe and conspiracy theorists will listen to presentations from guest writers and researchers, and a costume contest, parade and concerts.

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.




Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants splash water to children in celebration of the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Thai people celebrate New Year's from April 12 to April 14. The celebration is called the Songkran Festival and it is known across the globe for being a holiday where people play with water.




Thai children spray water each others during the water festival or commonly known as the Songkran festival to mark the New Year, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. The annual festival is a mixture of religion and chaos involving heavy drinking and water fights.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Thai people pour water on a statue of Buddha as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand' southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.



A Thai woman parades on a float as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Gettyimages