During the Alsatian carnival, the carnival queen and her dauphines parade through the streets of the city . Women symbolize the birth of a new life that awakens in nature at the dawn of spring. The carnival aims to scare away winter. At the end of winter, the carnival comes from  pagan traditions. The carnival heralds the return of sunny days and the spring equinox.

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The Alsatian carnival has its rites: the parades are multicolored. In the streets, children are disguised. Floats, brass bands, dancers and characters in colorful, strange or funny costumes parade through the streets of Alsatian towns and villages. Every year, it is a real street spectacle which the large crowd attends. A course is traced in the different cities of Alsace with throwing of confetti and candies for the children. The route is thought out so that the cavalcade passes through the streets and emblematic squares of Alsatian towns.

The floats are made by associations. They are very often satirical and evoke major facts of local or national life (rough representations of political figures). Carnival in Alsace is a moment of joy to share with the family.

It is also an opportunity for Sophie to share her historical knowledge on the subject with you.