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In the interest of full disclosure, Brazilian Tourism is one of our clients.  But even if that were not the case, I would say this - the Parintins Festival is unlike I have ever experienced in my life.  This festival, held at the end of each June in the Amazon region of Brazil, puts all other summer festivals to shame.  A well-known travel photojournalist, Peter Guttman, who was traveling with us, even marveled that “this festival is bigger than the Macy’s Day Parade.” 

The festival takes place in Parintins, a small city of 100,000 that is in the Amazon state.  The indigenous Brazilians work for several months creating floats, dances and costumes for this festival that splits the city into two - the Caprichoso (blue team) and the Guarantido (red team).  Coca-Cola is a major sponsor and, as seen in the photo below, they support both teams, so the only time you’ll ever see a BLUE Coca-Cola logo is at this festival - something that really blew the mind of this marketer!

The festival only became known in the U.S. in recent years and is still relatively unknown and inaccessible, potentially because it is all in Portuguese.  However, in traveling to another country, the language barrier will always play a part.  With this festival, the music and scenes are definitely the experience. 

The Caprichoso team for the Parintins Festival