from Lenny Barretto for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Panaji, Feb 16: The Panaji traditional festival and carnival committee and the directorate of tourism will organize the annual carnival on a grand scale this year from February 25 to 28, at Panaji. The king Momo’s prade will be held on Feburary 25, followed by floats competition.

The king Momo’s parade will be held on February 25, followed by floats competition, said Joaquim Teles, president of the Panaji carnival committee.

He said that in all there will be six categories of floats, that is sponsored, traditional, club or institution, family clowns and fun funky cars.

This year commercial floats will not be permitted to take part. In order to give a boost to and encourage traditional floats, a total of 10 prizes have been earmarked so as to encourage participation in this year’s parade.

The highlight of this year's event is the participation of a group from Switzerland Elfer-Frosche for the Carnival parade in Panaji on February 25.

Similarly, there will be other programmes from February 26 to 28, at the Inox courtyard, opposite the old GMC and on Azad Maidan.

The committee will hold three khell tiatrs (konkani dramas) on Azad Maidan entitled Dukh Nastana Sukh Nam on February 27 and Khorench haanv fatti pavlom' on February 28, all starting at 6.30 p.m.

• Click here for an exclusive album of Goa Carnival 2005 - by Rajtilak Naik in Panaji