Amazon River Sun: Carnival Parade draws large crowd, including dozens who entered the float contest -- Kwanita wins first prize

Floats lined up for judging at Bloodbath Bay
Photos by Juan, Sun photographer

By Persephone Bolero-Trenton

AMAZON — Kwanita of the Tapirape took first place in Sunday’s Carnival Parade. Along with the dozens of other contestants, Kwanita sailed her float up and down the mighty river, flanked by toucans birds, before parking her float in a line at Bloodbath Bay.

“Merci a tous , super soiree , merci aux juges,” the French-speaking native said when she was announced as the winner, which probably means something to the effect of “Thank you, super people and judges!”

Coming in second was the jungle’s covert operative Micke, with a clandestine-themed float, and August Firehawk took third place with her float.

From Left: Micke, Kwantia and Summer Firehawk

Precious animals and secrets

During the judging, Kwanita explained that her float was a tribute to the Amazon.

“Without it, our world would fade away, deprived of beauty, and the splendor of nature would become nothing more than a distant memory. Let us protect it with all our strength and passion, this land, these people, these precious animals,” the Tapirape woman said as she floated upon the crocodile-infested waters while malaria-carrying mosquitos swarmed around her.

Kwanita's award-winning float

Micke, on the other hand, was tight lipped about his intentions with his float.

“I think it says the best who I am and what I’m doing here,” Micke said with a chuckle. He provided no further details on what he’s doing in the Amazon or who he is, exactly.

Classified photo of Micke's float.

Summer, who introduced August’s float had many compliments for its themes.

"The way you used natural elements is brilliant! It blends so perfectly with the Amazonian jungle, it belongs here in the jungle!” Summer said.

(Editor’s note: The Sun was unable to hear the soft spoken woman’s reply, but we’re sure it was brilliant.)

Stabbing and blossoms

This year’s parade was among the most well attended in recent memory, a testament to the organizers’ hard work. It’s a challenging task to bring people together for these annual events, and those who attended and enjoyed the festivities expressed much gratitude to the organizers, including Catten of the Tapirape who coordinated the float contest. Tantrica, a seeker, was also singled out for praise on her involvement.

Other notable floats included a tribute to the “Joy of Stabbing,” by author and stabbing expert Sunisa Minoptra.

“Following on from the unprecedented success of my poetry book 'Slippery Swears', my float is a promotional vehicle for my all new book which is coming out soon: 'The Joy of Stabbing'. The book will feature explicit drawings of my favorite stabbing positions including, but not limited to, 'missionary' (stabbing missionaries), doggy (stabbing dogs), cowgirl (stabbing cowgirls) and reverse cowgirl (stabbing people while dressed as a cowgirl),” the poet told the judges.

Published author's seminal work on stabbing

Shui’s float delighted crowds with a taste of Japanese culture. The comely, virile man said they do not celebrate Carnival in Japan, so he wanted to honor the Hanami, a Japanese tradition of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers.

“My family used to dress up in kimonos and went there to meet with friends and enjoy the beautiful view, together with some food we brought. So, my float is decorated with cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, a cherry tree, and a traditional outfit similar to the ones we wore. We kept this tradition after we moved to Korea and often went to the Seoul palaces, together with the family of one of my best friends,” the handsome and widely desired man said.

One of Shui's many admirers gazes at his float.

Orgies and beaches

Dorin’s float, adorned with feminine figures, powerful phalluses, and rainbow flags also attracted a great deal of attention with its orgy themes. He told judges the float was intended to be a tribute to his tribe.

“Like your tribe of innocent and virginal Xocós,” he told parade judge Leona, “the Awa Unis too stand for diversity, love and tolerance. This is what we want to spread in this lovely jungle.”

This float turned a lot of people on.

The always lovely Eastonia entered a float that took a minimalist approach to express a big idea, and like Shui’s float, it wove Japanese culture into the parade floats’ many themes.

"This simple carnival float is a vibrant tribute to freedom, heritage, and courage, woven into a beach-themed spectacle. Seagulls at the front symbolize freedom and limitless possibilities, while elegant Japanese dolls in gold and crimson kimonos honor my lineage with quiet strength. In contrast, the bold Mojo radiates resilience, a tribute to fearless Indo Girls who defy expectations,” she said.

Eastonia's Japanese beach-themed float.

Last but not least

The Amazon River Sun also entered a float in this year’s parade. Sun Publisher Persephone Bolero-Trenton combined themes from the history of journalism, including printing presses and the only neon sign in the Amazon to promote and defend her work as a the jungle’s indefatigable reporter.

“Whether it’s police corruption, public health issues or criminal behavior, we are there first to tell you what’s really happening in our community. And our advertising rates are VERY REASONABLE,” Bolero-Trenton told the judges.

Hey guys, my eyes are up here!

With dozens of floats and a large and appreciative crowd, the Carnival Parade of 2025 will be a memorable one. Here's some more photos from the event...