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Tania Olmos woke up at 5:40 a.m. to get up and ready for today's Carnaval. She's part of the group Morenada para el Mundo 100% es Boliviana, a group made up entirely of Bolivians wearing elaborate outfits.  Bianca Hernandez/KQED
Tania Olmos woke up at 5:40 a.m. to get up and ready for today's Carnaval. She's part of the group Morenada para el Mundo 100% es Boliviana, a group made up entirely of Bolivians wearing elaborate outfits.  (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

PHOTOS: Carnaval Takes Over the Mission with Music, Dance

PHOTOS: Carnaval Takes Over the Mission with Music, Dance

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Music meshed with voices and percussion instruments during Carnaval San Francisco's 40th anniversary celebrations in the Mission District.

Tied to the Caribbean, Central and South America, the event is a place for people to celebrate their heritage through dance, music and food.

The festival started Saturday, with vendors and performers taking over Harrison Street, from 16th to 24th Streets. The parade itself took place Sunday morning, with groups arriving at staging areas along Bryant Street before marching down 24th Street to Mission.

Stacie Ibuki, with dance group Samba Funk, says the group theme was 'roots.' Costumes were made with natural materials in mind to reflect the theme.
Stacie Ibuki, with dance group Samba Funk, says the group theme was 'roots.' Costumes were made with natural materials in mind to reflect the theme. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
All of the costumes for Samba Funk were based on the theme of 'roots' but everyone's outfits were slightly different.
All of the costumes for Samba Funk were based on the theme of 'roots' but everyone's outfits were slightly different. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
Dancers with Samba Funk incorporated natural materials into their costumes to go with their 'roots' theme.
Dancers with Samba Funk incorporated natural materials into their costumes to go with their 'roots' theme. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
'I feel pretty pumped,' said Symone Watson (L), preparing for her first Carnaval parade with the dance group Caribbean Vibrationz.
'I feel pretty pumped,' said Symone Watson (L), preparing for her first Carnaval parade with the dance group Caribbean Vibrationz. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

Batalá San Francisco performers get their faces painted outside the Starbucks while waiting for the Carnaval parade to begin. The international samba reggae group was made up of drummers and dancers.
Batalá San Francisco performers get their faces painted outside the Starbucks while waiting for the Carnaval parade to begin. The international samba reggae group was made up of drummers and dancers. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
'I've been with these cats on and off,' David McKissich said of his group MJ's Brass Boppers Brass Band, while getting warmed up. 'When I heard about it I was like "I'll be there." '
'I've been with these cats on and off,' David McKissich said of his group MJ's Brass Boppers Brass Band, while getting warmed up. 'When I heard about it I was like "I'll be there." ' (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
Jaime Velasco Zeballos, president of Merenada para el Mundo 100% es Boliviana, said he wanted to bring the food, dance and culture of Bolivia to the world. Members of the group came from far and wide to be here for Sunday's parade.
Jaime Velasco Zeballos, president of Merenada para el Mundo 100% es Boliviana, said he wanted to bring the food, dance and culture of Bolivia to the world. Members of the group came from far and wide to be here for Sunday's parade. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
The Hip Hop for Change float was one of many in Sunday's Carnaval parade. According to the official event website, there were at least 80 groups participating in Sunday's parade.
The Hip Hop for Change float was one of many in Sunday's Carnaval parade. According to the official event website, there were at least 80 groups participating in Sunday's parade. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
Floats ranged from simple to elaborate, with participants adding decorations the morning of the parade.
Floats ranged from simple to elaborate, with participants adding decorations the morning of the parade. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

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