The Santo Domingo Carnival activities begin today, with an exhibition of carnival masks in fairgrounds set up at the Avenida del Puerto of Santo Domingo. The Feria del Carnaval Dominicano will open at 8 pm with an exhibition and sale of carnival masks and costumes. It will remain open through March 1, when the activities end with a giant parade along the Malecón of Santo Domingo. The Ministry of Tourism, with the sponsorship of Presidente beer, will also be showing folklore presentations at the Avenida del Puerto and in barrios and towns throughout the country. The grand gala of the Carnival will take place Thursday, 26 February, at the Hotel Jaragua’s Salon La Fiesta. On Friday, closing celebrations will be held in Puerto Plata, La Vega, Montecristi, San Cristóbal and Las Terrenas, Samana. The grand finale of the Carnival is the parade on the Malecón in which carnival troupes from all over the country join floats and street dancers in a day long event. The parade will kick off at 11 am and be transmitted by satellite to the world. Renown Dominican painter Cándido Bidó is Rey Califé, king of the 1998 carnival.
