Halloween 2024: The streets of Patras run out of 60,000 carnivalists

The carnival is the capital and thousands arrive in town to celebrate the three-day Halloween and this year as every year. They peak today Saturday (16.03. 24) and tomorrow Sunday, the events of the Patriot Carnival, with the two major parades, in which more than 60,000 carnivalists, members of the 181 crews of the Hidden Treasure will take part. Already, the city lives in intense and unrestrained carnival rhythms, with thousands of carnivalists and visitors enjoying moments of fun and carelessness, which will last until Sunday evening, when the closing ceremony and burning of the carnival king will take place. The first big parade will begin at 6:30 this afternoon. This parade is called a podarat, because the structures and chariots of the crews of the “Hide Treasure” are not presented, but only their members march in their uniforms, which are illuminated carnivalally. So tonight it is expected to unfold in the center of Patras a spectacular spectacle with the lights, the colors the fast flow and the joy to give a unique glow, but also a special splendor on the night of the last Saturday of the patriotic carnival. The second big parade will begin tomorrow at 2 after noon and will present an impressive panorama of colors, imagination, inspiration and creation. At the top of the parade will be the folk music and will be followed by the chariots of the patriotic carnival, which were built by the artists of the carnival workshop of the Municipality of Patras. In particular, they will parade the chariots, “Propopompos”, “King Carnival – The King of Globalization”, the chariot queen with the queen of the patriotic carnival 2024, Georgia Sakka, the flower chariot, the “Smile” inspired by the old silent cinema, the “Dances of Circus”, John Lennon with the children of flowers and peace, as well as the chariots of the carnival of the young, “Baby Carnival”, “Travel with imagination”, “Karousel”, “Fengari”, “Skylaki”, “Sardipodousa”, “Inguana” and “Chirko”. Next, the approximately 60,000 carnivalists, members of 181 crews of the “Hide Treasure”, will march, accompanied by their own tanks or large wheeled structures. At the end of Sunday’s great parade, they will parade the chariots of the chocolate war, with the chocolates keeping the traditional custom alive. The Carnival parade will be televised by ERT – 3 and ERTFLIX, featuring the journalist, Natasha Tragostis and the actor, George Logaras. In the meantime, Patras has begun to be overwhelmed by thousands of visitors who want to live in close proximity to the patriotic carnival and participate in the great celebration. In particular, the fullness of the hotels in the city is 100%, and the hotels located relatively close to Patras show very great completenesss. Therefore, due to the arrival of a large number of visitors, measures have already been taken to avoid creating problems. In particular, by decision of the 6th health district, the emergency departments of the city’s two major hospitals, namely the University and the “Saint Andreas” have been fully operationally prepared, as well as the “Karamandane” children’s hospital. Also, in operational readiness has been set at the weekend, from 12 noon to 12 midnight and the Northern Health Center, while emergency clinics will be developed in George Square. For her part, the police have taken increased security measures, with reinforcements from neighbouring police addresses.