CARNIVAL!!!

More than a million Rio Carnival revelers laid aside bitterness at Brazilian leaders to join wild festivities last week in what has been dubbed "the greatest show on Earth."

Many participants said they had resolved to forget -- at least until festivities end Tuesday -- about lingering protests over corruption and the cost of hosting the World Cup.

The Rio tourist board said 1.3 million people joined the fray to cavort as the Marvelous City's oldest street party group Cordao da Bola Preta danced to a raucous samba beat. A total of four million are accepted during the entire five-day event.

In business center Sao Paulo, tens of thousands of people were on hand as the Gavioes da Fiel samba school hit the streets, their theme this year was homage to the career of 2002 world soccer champion Ronaldo.

Sao Paulo, which will host the World Cup opening match on June 12, kicked off major celebrations Friday night.

Ronaldo's float included four female "bodyguards" for the man who scored a record 15 goals in World Cup action.

Rio's flamboyantly dressed residents were adamant that, for now, they had spent enough time demonstrating -- and wanted to let loose instead.

"Carnival is carnival. Celebrate! Protests can wait -- at least for now," shouted Christophe Land, one of 50 men decked out in black "Spiderman" outfits.

Other revelers agreed as they celebrated what was also their city's 449th birthday.

Outfits for the elite groups can cost thousands of dollars, but Saturday's street parade participants gave them a good run for their money, with a range of often risque creations.

Crossdressing among the men was a typical theme, while a group of men and women dressed as Neanderthals, who had daubed themselves in black paint, rubbed against anyone in range.

"Hey, that's my natural color," laughed one black man the group targeted.

Above the din, one reveler who gave her name only as Rosana said Brazilians can be optimistic in a World Cup year, despite the country struggling with its preparations.

"Brazil is getting better. We are a united people who maybe have to break a few things in the system. But not windows," said the 27-year-old, speaking for most Brazilians horrified at how anarchists latched onto the recent protests to spark clashes with military police.