The Mainz Carnival has a long tradition believed to date back to crazy goings-on in the 16th century, although the city's first Carnival societies were not founded until the 19th century. The Mainz Carnival Society was established in 1838 to bring order to the colourful, unrestrained jollity and increase its aesthetic appeal. The Mainz Carnival Society is traditionally accompanied by its own uniformed guards, the Ranzengarde. Every year Mainz's "fifth season" begins with the reading of the eleven Carnival laws at 11.11am on 11 November. Other highlights are the Rose Monday procession, the children's masked parade on Carnival Saturday and the numerous Carnival gatherings, which traditionally begin on New Year's Day after the fools' parade.
I remember standing on the sidewalk, surrounded by happy observers, shouting "Hellau" periodically and watching candy being thrown into the crowd by people on the floats. Delightful revelry!
