Mardi Gras midnight before Ash Wednesday. In earlier times, parades were held on New Year's Day. Other cities famous for Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de Janeiro; Barranquilla, Colombia; George Town, Cayman Islands; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; and Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Carnival is an important celebration in Anglican and Catholic European nations. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the week before Ash Wednesday is called "Shrovetide", ending on Shrove Tuesday. It has its popular celebratory aspects, as well. Pancakes are a traditional food. Pancakes and related fried breads or pastries made with sugar, fat, and eggs
Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro Duque de Caxias (, "Duke of Caxias") is a city on Guanabara Bay and part of Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, being the third most populous in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. It is bordered by Rio de Janeiro city to the south. Its population was 873,921 (2013) and its area is 465 km², making it the second most populous suburb of Rio de Janeiro city The city is the third most populous in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area. The current mayor is Alexandre Cardoso. It is named after Luís Alves de Lima