European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 03, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Party beat never stops in Darneval capital revellers celebrate on the streets of Cologne with the City s trademark Cathedral in the background. By Mark Kinkade a staff writer somewhere in the distance from under one of the ornate archways leading into the Center of Cologne Germany a rhythmic thumping echoes off the looming Cathedral and through the cold morning air. The thumping comes closer like a walking metronome. As the beat threatens to burst from under a darkened Bridge four Garish Green clowns stroll into the dark of the Bridge hands clasped around steaming mugs of Clu Wein. A dog runs past with a huge Green Collar around its neck and Bells strapped on its Back. Once a year Cologne lets lunacy slip out of its collective mind and run rampant on the streets. It s a time for drinking screaming throwing Candy and handing out condoms. It s Darneval in Germany s Darneval capital. The Best Way to enjoy Darneval in Cologne is to get an Early Start and plan a late evening. This year feb. 14 is the culmination of the Darneval season in Cologne. The party begins Early in the morning when thousands of revellers and Parade participants begin lining the narrow canyons throughout the City s Center in anticipation of the Parade. Clowns gather in the Shadow of the great Cathedral while tourists clamber for precarious perches on narrow window Sills and atop phone Booths. In the meantime radio and television Crews stake out Sweet spots for viewing the Parade at a turn about one Block from the Cathedral. Police patrolling the Parade route turn Blind eyes to Early morning drunks stumbling past. The Parade itself May not be the most exciting spectacle in the world but it has its moments. Although it lacks huge balloons or marching bands its participants Are generous. They throw out Candy which  show in the crowd As people Young and old alike scramble to grab flying confections. The pos Parade scene May be the most exciting As clubs and bistros fill to overflowing with costumed partners intent on drinking themselves unconscious. On into the late evening the streets remain filled with a kind of drunkards Parade As people stumble around with drinks in hand singing to whomever will listen or simply screaming to the top of the Cathedral. And always through the whole Day the drumbeat never seems to Stop and the clowns Are always around each Corner during Carnev in Cologne. 10 stripes Magazine february 3, 1994