Carnival in Natal, known as "Carnatal", is one of the largest
off-season carnivals in Brazil. Carnatal takes place sometime in November or
December, in the streets around Machadão Stadium (traffic around the stadium
changes radically during Carnatal days). The transit department isolates about
3 kilometres (2 miles) of streets, creating a ring, along which the party takes
place. During the days of party, a huge truck (called "trio
elétrico"), with a band on the top and sound boxes all around, drives
slowly along the streets. The crowd follows the trio elétrico singing, dancing,
jumping to the sound of the music
