Rio de Janeiro's state legislative assembly approved a bill to create an "off-season" carnival in the city every July, the local press reported yesterday.
The bill was favored by 48 of the deputies who attended the voting.
Dionisio Lins, of the Progressive Party (PP), who proposed the bill, said the "off-season" carnival will be an opportunity to boost tourism during mid-year holidays as Rio's carnival is the most famous in the world.
The "off-season" party will last three days in July, including a weekend, but the specific date will be chosen by the state government.
The state secretariats of culture and of tourism, sports and leisure will partner with private companies to sponsor the event.
According to Lins, the samba schools will prepare shorter parades for the festival than the official ones held in February or March.