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Notes:

Some information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Carnival

Carnival in Cologne (aka fastelovend) starts on the 11th of November but the "big party" begins 5 days before Ash-Wednesday. That day is called "Weiberfastnacht" (Weiber = Women in old German) and to show the women have the power at this day it is a tradition to cut the ties of the man with a scissor.
But you don't see many ties in the streets because most people are masqueraded…
http://www1.wdr.de/themen/panorama/sp_karneval12/tickerkarneval102_lpic-23_lupe-true.html

There is no "law" to kiss each other, but "bütze" (kissing) is indeed a tradition and there could be lots of lipstick involved. (It is often just a kiss to the cheek. Especially policemen did get a lot of this kisses…) As things happening during carnival aren't supposed to be mentioned afterwards and because there is normally a lot of alcohol involved, people often are less shy than normally…

The start of the street party is announced by the "Dreigestirn" at 11:11 on a stage on the 'Alter Markt' in the old part of Cologne. The "Dreigestirn" is a triumvirate build by a prince, a virgin and a farmer. All three are traditionally men and it is a great honour to be part of it.

Before and after the announcement there is an entertainment program with lots of music and comedians.
The traditional 'thank you' for the artists is not only applause but also the "Kölle"-"Alaaf" shouts initiated by the master of ceremonies.
The highest approval is to get a "Rakete" (rocket) which means a special sequence to give applause. "An the Gewehre, Kommando 1, 2, 3" – (Take you rifle, command 1, 2, 3 ) The reason behind this is that a lot of the traditional carnival clubs started as a parody of military groups and still carry wood rifles.

"Einmol Prinz zu sin" is about the dream (of each boy and man) to become a prince in cologne during carnival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBynvIk0U68