SHOTLIST:AP TELEVISION - AP Clients Only Rio de Janeiro -- Jan 26, 20131. Zoom in on percussionists dressed up as super heroes and other cartoon characters for block or neighbourhood party 2. Various of people in costume playing the drums3. Close of Brazilian flag on drum4. Tilt down woman dressed as Pocahontas playing the drums5. Wide of crowd behind a barricade enjoying the drum performance6. Close of two little boys dressed up as super heroes7. Pan from left to right of singers dressed as Poison Ivy and the Joker from the Batman series to the crowd below8. Mid of percussionists9. Wide of man dressed up as the Incredible Hulk10. Wide of woman dressed up as Catwoman dancing11. Various of man dressed as Avatar playing the drumsSTORYLINE: Rio de Janeiro's famous carnival unofficially kicked off on Saturday with a Super Heroes themed "block" or neighbourhood party. Thousands of Supermen, Wonder Women, Incredible Hulks and Avatars of all ages invaded the streets to the sound of tropical beats. Since the street Carnival party took place in the morning, many children were present with their parents. Beatriz Daile, who always brings her daughters, said she never misses an opportunity to celebrate Carnival, even ahead of the official opening day on February 8. "Since they were little they have loved it. Every time we bring them here they already ask, "Mummy is today Carnival?" Daile said. For the grown-ups, this Super Heroes-themed celebration is also an excuse to go back in time and reminisce. Dressed as his favourite comic book character, the Incredible Hulk, Gabriel Lazaro, says everyone wants to start the Carnival season early. "We have a lot of friends participating in (the official) Carnival, but for us, Carnival begins today," Lazaro said. According to Rio's tourism office, Rio's street Carnival will consist of 492 block parties this year that will bring together an estimated five million carnival enthusiasts.(****END****)