The carnival starts officially before Christmas, on the 11th of the 11th month at 11:11 am (elften elften elf uhr elf) with the offical meeting of the "Council of Eleven" (Elferrat), a German tradition dating from 1823.
The members of this council wear fool's caps as their official headgear. The council also organizes shows called Prunksitzung with club members and invited guests performing dance, comedy and songs, all dressed in costumes, of course!