The document summarizes events from the 2011 Rio Carnival parades that took place on March 6th and 7th. It describes how the samba groups dazzled spectators with their colorful costumes, floats, and dancing. It highlights how the Portela group made a dramatic entrance after a fire destroyed many of their costumes and floats the previous month. The fire incinerated over 8,000 costumes and damaged floats from multiple samba groups. Despite the losses, the parade brought hope and happiness to spectators, and strengthened fans' allegiance to their favorite samba groups.