Margao/Ponda, March 3 (TNN): It was King Momo's sway over the state's commercial capital on Sunday as music rent the air, fun and frolic spilled onto the streets, and revelers made merry as Margao played host to the carnival float parade organized by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and the state's department of tourism.

Deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza flagged off the parade that took off from Holy Spirit church square and culminated at the municipal square. Fisheries minister Avertano Furtado, Cuncolim MLA Subhash 'Rajan' Naik, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, Velim MLA Benjamin D'Silva, Benaulim MLA Caetano Silva were among the dignitaries who joined revelers in welcoming Momo the monarch and his contingent as it led the float parade.

However, Ponda was not one to be left behind. Setting speculation of a poor turnout aside due to the simultaneous celebration at Margao, Ponda witnessed the participation of 36 floats and 10 clowns in the carnival parade. The parade which had disappointed spectators last year and had most people apprehensive this year, turned up the colour and fervour making the celebration a very successful one indeed. Positive response from participating teams improved the Ponda carnival this year.

Margao witnessed a mix of tradition and creativity in the tableaus which were presented at the parade that consisted of 107 floats in various categories. Thematic floats depicting social issues and public causes were the hallmark of the parade.

Tableaus on the theme of environment conservation stood out while those carrying messages of social awareness also stole the limelight.

Though the traffic police made elaborate arrangements for free flow of traffic, traffic snarls were witnessed at the entry points to the city during the late evening hours as the two main roads of the parade route were closed for traffic.

Meanwhile, khells, which were once a hallmark of the traditional Carnival were seen being performed at various places across Salcete on Sunday.

The Ponda parade started at 4.30pm and spectators from across all communities were lined along the Upper Bazaar to Ponda-Tiska road since 3.30pm to catch a glimpse of the float parade and other performances. The parade commenced at Upper Bazaar and passed through Kaziwada, Mount Carmel Chapel, Ponda Municipal Council, and winded up at Tisk-Ponda.

Almost all floats and clowns in Ponda seem to have succeeded to enthrall spectators. The tableaus were in traditional, club and institution, fun-junky car, family, clown and joker categories. However, no group participated in the family category.

The Ponda parade was followed by a live performance of 'Innocently Corrupt Unit' (ICU), an exclusively women pop band at Aguiar grounds, Tiska-Ponda.