Cartagena, Colombia, celebrates its independence from Spain each November 11 with an extended carnival highlighted by the coronation of Miss Colombia. Click on for a picture of this year's party and Miss Colombia winner.
Cartagena parties! —
Cartagena, Colombia, celebrates its independence from Spain each November 11 with an extended carnival highlighted by the coronation of Miss Colombia. Click on for a picture of this year's party and Miss Colombia winner.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
The event brings hundreds of thousands of Colombians onto the streets of the country's fifth-largest city. It's a key tourist attraction. Every possible viewing space is occupied, including the historic walls of the old city.
"Um, can you save us a spot?" —
The event brings hundreds of thousands of Colombians onto the streets of the country's fifth-largest city. It's a key tourist attraction. Every possible viewing space is occupied, including the historic walls of the old city.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Colombia's multiculturalism shines through not just in the parade but in the huge crowds that descend on the city to watch it.
All in —
Colombia's multiculturalism shines through not just in the parade but in the huge crowds that descend on the city to watch it.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
November 11 is considered a key date in the wider Latin American struggle for independence against Spain, and is celebrated in Colombia as a national holiday.
Reason to get happy —
November 11 is considered a key date in the wider Latin American struggle for independence against Spain, and is celebrated in Colombia as a national holiday.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Today, the occasion is most notable for the coronation of Miss Colombia and its accompanying carnival. The winner goes on to compete in Miss Universe, a contest the country's Paulina Vega won in January 2015.
Pageantry —
Today, the occasion is most notable for the coronation of Miss Colombia and its accompanying carnival. The winner goes on to compete in Miss Universe, a contest the country's Paulina Vega won in January 2015.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Andrea Tovar, representing the Pacific province of Choca, was the winner of this year's Miss Colombia contest. The election and coronation took place on Monday.
Miss Colombia 2015 —
Andrea Tovar, representing the Pacific province of Choca, was the winner of this year's Miss Colombia contest. The election and coronation took place on Monday.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Foam guns are a ubiquitous feature of the celebrations, with many of the Miss Colombia participants and other float occupants bearing the brunt of the crowd's delight in soaking the nearest possible victim.
Cleaning time —
Foam guns are a ubiquitous feature of the celebrations, with many of the Miss Colombia participants and other float occupants bearing the brunt of the crowd's delight in soaking the nearest possible victim.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Floats are populated by other excitable performers in an array of colorful outfits.
Flashy fashion —
Floats are populated by other excitable performers in an array of colorful outfits.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Music is also at the center of the celebrations.
Beat crazy —
Music is also at the center of the celebrations.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Large parade effigies are constructed from Styrofoam and vulnerable to both the elements and human interference. Some don't make it to the finish line, including this decapitated cyclist.
Long, hard ride —
Large parade effigies are constructed from Styrofoam and vulnerable to both the elements and human interference. Some don't make it to the finish line, including this decapitated cyclist.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
Young and old are equally at home in the carnival procession.
Family time —
Young and old are equally at home in the carnival procession.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
The effort that goes into the outfits, dance routines and musical arrangements lasts for months in advance. But the enthusiasm really builds as the date approaches.
Head in the game —
The effort that goes into the outfits, dance routines and musical arrangements lasts for months in advance. But the enthusiasm really builds as the date approaches.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN
The start of this year's festival coincided with Colombia's World Cup qualifier against Chile (a match that ended in a 1-1 draw). A high percentage of spectators wore football shirts to show their support for a team that reached the quarter finals of the 2014 tournament and won FIFA's Fair Play award.
This year, even more to celebrate —
The start of this year's festival coincided with Colombia's World Cup qualifier against Chile (a match that ended in a 1-1 draw). A high percentage of spectators wore football shirts to show their support for a team that reached the quarter finals of the 2014 tournament and won FIFA's Fair Play award.
Nicol Nicolson/CNN