The most flamboyant, outrageous, exciting parade of the year in Puerto Vallarta is just around the corner. On Saturday, March 5, starting at 10 pm, the streets of South side Puerto Vallarta will come alive with a public spectacle rarely seen in this sleepy little tourist town by the bay - the 2011 Carnaval Parade.

The streets of Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo will be the route for this year's parade. 2011 is the third year of the Puerto Vallarta Carnaval Parade and this year it will be bigger and more colorful than ever with over 40 floats already entered.

The parade is open to any concept from simple walking groups to large truck and trailer floats. Music, dancing and beautiful bodies will be the rule of the day (...night).

If any business or organization is interested in entering a float or in sponsoring a prize for any of several categories of "best" float, please contact a member of the parade committee through the Carnaval website, CarnavalVallarta.com.

Float entries fees are only $300 pesos and official non-profit organizations can enter without a fee. Registration is open until February 27th ... or until the parade is full.

Both the Vallarta gay and straight communities come out of the closet, so to speak, decked in their finest, for this parade. It’s flashy and fun for anyone of any age. Celebrate Mardi Gras the way it was intended and strut your stuff on Carnaval night, Saturday, March 5, 2011.