​5 Days. 1.1 million tourists. 1 billion spectators. 700 street parties. 500 parade processions. Legions of samba schools. Rhythm. Glitz. Glamour. And… 55 Tecno Fast ATCO modular units.

The 2013 Rio Carnival, an annual festivity against which every other carnival in the world is measured, concluded last week in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro. The carnival is a euphoric event that allows the energy and spirit of a nation to come out and dance.

The official events take place at the Sambadrome, a purpose-built stadium designed specifically to host the annual parade. The central samba runway is the main avenue for the processions and the promenade behind the bleachers is the area for revelers to grab a bite, shop and mingle.

Tecno Fast ATCO Brazil provided 55 modular units, installed around the different sectors of the Sambadrome to serve as dressing rooms for the extravagant costume changes, security booths, site offices, mother and baby rooms and washrooms. The availability of modular units at an event of this scale eases the pressure on the organizers, reducing assembly and installation times of crucial facilities.

According to the International Business Times, the Carnival is estimated to generate more than $600 million USD for the economy of Brazil and is seen as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming 2014 FIFA Football World Cup and the Summer Olympics in 2016. Photos of the 2013 event can be seen here.

For ATCO it is an honor to have been present at the Rio Carnival. We enjoy a special occasion and have provided modular units to the Calgary Stampede, the Winterstart World Cup ski race, the Olympic Games held in 1988 in Calgary and in 2010 Vancouver, as well as the Canada Winter Games held in the Yukon.

As our units travel back from Rio Carnival, the city recovers from the festivities. The logistical and organizational challenges of such an event inevitably take a toll on the event organizers and we are glad to have been able to help out with what we do best.