Richard Einsel, who created the original festival, has scored music for choir, soloists, brass and organ, including a processional of more than 150 costumed participants.

The costumed participants are residents of the municipality and range in age from five to over fifty, and many families have participated for generations.

Each year there are about 12,000 costumed participants.

About 600,000 spectators are expected to line the two-mile downtown route to watch the 200 floats and 6,000 costumed participants in the festival's finale on Saturday.

It has about 30,000 costumed participants cheered by an estimated two million spectators.

It draws costumed participants in various forms of dress and undress - proving that people's inhibitions seem to diminish when they are wearing masks.

The carnival may have as many as 50,000 costumed participants and 2 million spectators, and is broadcast on television across the country.

Open to all, the Procession of the Species attracts up to 30,000 viewers, while its costumed participants of all ages frequently number nearly 3,000.

Plenty of towns have parades, but this extravaganza, now in its 65th year, attracts 90,000 spectators and 5,000 costumed participants.

A walk featuring costumed participants, followed by hot cider and a campfire; sponsored by the Urban Park Rangers.