The Ministry of Culture has taken over from the Ministry of Tourism the responsibility to organize the 2005 Carnival Parade of Santo Domingo, scheduled for 6 March along the Malecon. The ministry is investing RD$6 million in the organization. The Santo Domingo carnival gathers the best carnival groups from all around the country for a four hour long parade on the Malecon. There is a RD$200,000 first prize, a RD$100,000 second prize and a RD$50,000 third prize. An estimated 50,000 persons are expected to parade, with spectators lined up along the Malecon estimated to reach half a million people. The parade will be televised.