Carnival/Mardi Gras 2012

A reveler of Grande Rio samba school performs during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early on Feb. 21, 2012.

Pictures: Celebs at Mardi Gras

Dancers of Grande Rio samba school parade on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome.

A reveler of Unidos da Tijuca samba school dressed with an Oriental costume performs during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early on Feb. 21, 2012.

Revelers of Mangueira samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early on Feb. 21, 2012.

A dancer of Grande Rio samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome.

Revelers of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the second night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 21, 2012.

A reveler of the Estacao Primeira de Mangueira samba school performs during the second night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 21, 2012.

Performers from the Grande Rio samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome.

A reveler of Grande Rio samba school performs during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early on February 21, 2012.

A reveler of the Estacao Primeira de Mangueira samba school performs during the second night of Carnival parades at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 21, 2012. Rio's two nights of famously extravagant Carnival parades began late on February 18 in a burst of fireworks and to the cheers of festivalgoers who have been partying on the streets for days.

Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early on February 21, 2012.

A reveler of Grande Rio samba school performs during the second night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early on February 21, 2012.

Revelers of the Academicos do Grande Rio samba school perform during the second night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 21, 2012.

A reveler of Grande Rio samba school performs during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early on February 21, 2012.

Revelers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school dressed as birds perform on a float during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early on February 21, 2012.

A broker wears a costume to celebrate Carnival at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt am Main, February 21, 2012.

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell tosses beads and doubloons to fans as he reigns as King of Bacchus in the 2012 Krewe of Bacchus Parade on February 19, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Mardi Gras "Krewe of Tucks" parade drives through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. It may be just another Monday anywhere else, but in New Orleans it's Lundi Gras, the day before the Carnival season culminates on Fat Tuesday.

Riders in the Mardi Gras parade make their way to their float in the staging area of the parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

Cyndi Lauper heads to her awaiting Mardi Gras float in the 2012 Krewe of Orpheus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harry Connick Jr. throws gifts while riding in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

Fleambeaux Carriers march alongside the Captain's float in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

Actress Mariska Hargitay tosses gifts while riding in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

Entertainer Bret Michaels holds a handful of beads while riding in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

A participant in the Mardi Gras "Krewe of Tucks" parade tosses a football from his float as he drives through the streets of New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. It may be just another Monday anywhere else, but in New Orleans it's Lundi Gras, the day before the Carnival season culminates on Fat Tuesday.

A Flambeau marches in the 2012 Krewe of Orpheus Parade on February 20, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

"Gilles of Binche" dance during a carnival parade in the city center of Binche, Belgium, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. The Carnival of Binche dates back to around the 14th Century, with the clown-like Gilles performing their traditional dances to the sound of drums to ward off evil spirits with their sticks.

Children dressed as harlequins participate at the carnival in the city center of Binche, Belgium, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, as "Gilles of Binche" walk and dance during the carnival parade.

A reveler of the Beija Flor samba school performs at the Sambadrome during the first night of Rio de Janeiro's famed carnival parades on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

A reveler of Beija-Flor samba school dances during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

Revelers of the Porto da Pedra samba school perform on top of a float at the Sambadrome, during the first night of Rio de Janeiro's famed Carnival on February 20, 2012. The Rio Carnival, billed as "the greatest show on Earth," generates 250,000 jobs and revenues of $640 million for hotels, bars and restaurants, according to state estimates.

Bernadete Lou/Rex Features via AP Images

Sheila Carvalho as the Drum Queen of the Academicos do Tuiuti samba school during the, competition between the "access group" of schools at the Rio Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 19, 2012.

Legs of revelers of Imperatriz samba school are seen during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

Jennifer Lopez watches the first day of Rio Carnival parade at the Sambadrome, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 19, 2012. The actress and singer has learned some Brazilian slang in order to appear in Brahma's most recent advertising campaign. Recent guests at the two-day-long parade have included Madonna, Beyonce, Jude Law, Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and Kevin Spacey.

A reveler from the Vila Isabel samba school performs during the first night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

Revelers from the Vila Isabel samba school perform during the first night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

A reveler of the Portela samba school performs during the first night of Carnival parades at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 19, 2012. Rio's two nights of famously extravagant Carnival parades began in a burst of fireworks and to the cheers of festival goers who have been partying on the streets for days.

A reveler of Porto da Pedra samba school dances during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

A reveler of Vila Isabel samba school performs during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

Revelers of the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school perform during the first night of Carnival parades at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012. Rio's two nights of famously extravagant Carnival parades began late on February 18 in a burst of fireworks and to the cheers of festival goers who have been partying on the streets for days.

A reveler of Vila Isabel samba school performs during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012.

Revelers of the Beija Flor samba school perform at the Sambadrome during the first night of Rio de Janeiro's famed carnival parades on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

A reveler of the Beija-Flor samba school performs at the Sambadrome during the first night of Rio de Janeiro's famed carnival parades on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

A reveler of the Beija Flor samba school performs at the Sambadrome during the first night of Rio de Janeiro's famed carnival parades on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

Revelers from the Vila Isabel samba school perform during the first night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

A reveler from the Vila Isabel samba school performs during the first night of Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2012. The night parades in Rio's hallowed Sambadrome marked the high point of the pre-Lent bacchanalian Carnival festival, which is bringing this racially diverse country of 191 million people, virtually to a stop.

Renee Broussard, left, and Liz Zornman, parade in front of St. Louis Cathedral celebrating the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Crowds congregate on Bourbon St. in French Quarter to celebrate the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Members of the Krewe of Jezebelles parade though the French Quarter celebrating the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Sean, left, and Katie Northey dance in front of Arnaud's restaurant in French Quarter celebrating the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Malia Miyashiro of California throws beads from a Bourbon St. balcony to Mardi Gras revelers in French Quarter in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

AP Photo/The Times-Picayune, Chris Granger

Surrounded by members of the Hostess Cupcake Marching Brigade, in brown, chef John Besh dances with the crowd while waiting for the start of the Krewe of Lafcadio parade in the French Quarter on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in New Orleans. The marching krewe was celebrating the culinary arts of Louisiana in the inaugural stroll.

AP Photo/Kingman Daily Miner, JC Amberlyn

Participants wear masks to the Kingman Regional Medical Center Foundation and Kingman OB/GYN Associates second annual Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Saturday night at Hualapai Mountain Medical Center in Kingman, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. The KRMC Foundation is working to raise approximately $125,000 to cover the cost of improvements that will provide a better birth experience for parents when they come to KRMC for the birth of their child.

Lisa Fair escorts nine-year-old Emma Fair through the streets of the French Quarter celebrating the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Ann Collette, of New Orleans, dresses up in French Quarter celebrating the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Sinco Hardy and Rheason Rogers, of Indiana, kiss each other after exchanging vows in front of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

In this photo taken Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, a member of the band Maroon 5 throws beads to Mardi Gras revelers before the start of the Krewe of Endymion parade in New Orleans. The parade was postponed for over an hour due to weather conditions.

Riders on the "Muses Go Shopping" float keep their eyes on the hundreds of hands passing them by at the Krewe of Muses Parade in New Orleans on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

Riders toss beads from floats at the Krewe of Chaos Parade in New Orleans on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

The Muses Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 helping to celebrate the Carnival season.

Actress Patricia Clarkson arrives at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. Clarkson will preside over the all-women Mardi Gras Krewe of Muses parade. The parade will march through the streets of the city Thursday night.

Actress Patricia Clarkson holds on as she rides in the Muses Mardi Gras Parade through the streets of New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.

Actress and New Orleans native Patrica Clarkson was the honorary Muse as she rides in a giant shoe down St. Charles Avenue at the Krewe of Muses Parade in New Orleans on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily, Devon Ravine

Brody, a Westie belonging to Vicki Rice, sits in a remote controlled car at the beginning of the Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at Baytowne Village in Sandestin, Fla. The annual event in this Florida panhandle resort community attracted a wide variety of sharply-dressed canines and their owners and was a fundraiser for a local animal refuge.

Beauregard, a chihuahua, waits with his owner, Pat Day, at the start of the Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at Baytowne Village in Sandestin, Fla. Beauregard was dressed in surfer garb to reflect the theme of this year's parade, "Fetch a Wave." The annual event in this Florida panhandle resort community attracted a wide variety of sharply-dressed canines and their owners and was a fundraiser for a local animal refuge.

AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily News, Nick Tomecek

A reveler drives a golf cart down Santa Rosa Boulevard Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at the annual Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Though the parade started late and participants had to put up with cold weather, everyone managed to enjoy the festivities.

Cheree Mann holds her Pomeranian, Bella, at the start of the annual Mardi Gras Dog Parade held Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at Baytowne Village in Sandestin, Fla. The annual event in this Florida panhandle resort community attracted a wide variety of sharply-dressed canines and their owners and was a fundraiser for a local animal refuge.

Revelers with the Mystic Stripers toss trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. The pre-Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21. Tourism leaders estimate more than a million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities.

Revellers celebrate during the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, western Germany, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. The foolish street spectacles in the carnival centers of Duesseldorf, Mainz and Cologne, watched by hundreds of thousands of people, are the highlights in Germany's carnival season on Rosemonday.

A carnival float depicting German Chancellor Angela Merkel wearing an umbrella skirt symbolizing the Europen bailout fund (in German, "Rettungsschirm") during the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, western Germany, on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. The foolish street spectacles in the carnival centers of Duesseldorf, Mainz and Cologne, watched by hundreds of thousands of people, are the highlights in Germany's carnival season on Rosemonday.

Carnival performers attend the Rose Monday parade on February 20, 2012 in Mainz, Germany. Rose Monday is the highpoint of the Carnival season, which traditionally runs from Epiphany until Ash Wednesday, and is celebrated in cities throughout the Rhine region of western Germany.

A carnival float featuring U.S. President Barack Obama parades in the street of Cologne, western Germany during the traditional carnival parade of the so-called Rosenmontag (Roses Day) on February 20, 2012.

A father and his two sons dressed in traditional folk costumes attend a traditional Czech Masopust carnival, on February 4, 2012, near the east Bohemian city of Pardubice. Every year in mid-winter, villages throughout the Czech Republic celebrate Masopust. The festival marks the beginning of Lent, and is the equivalent of Mardi Gras in Latin America or Carnival in Catholic parts of Europe.

Young carnival-goers attend the traditional carnival parade of the so-called Rosenmontag (Roses Day) on February 20, 2012 in Cologne, western Germany.