Carnival Calabar 2013 of spectacular fun, colours and innovations 

THE biggest street party in Africa, Carnival Calabar, organised by the Cross River State Government took the celebration of this year’s edition to the next level with upscale innovations and rebirth of their tourism commitment with the theme “Aint no stopping us.”

The carnival was a parade of colours, costumes, creativity, innovation and imaginative interpretation of the theme of the yearly festival, demonstrated the state ‘s commitment to move on despite all odds.

It is a 32-day of high wire and variety of festive events ranging from cultural, musical, sports to fashion and beauty pageant of all of sorts with Carnival Calabar, which is generally  regarded as the apogee of the festival, attracting huge and awesome participation of the people, hence, it is regarded as ‘the biggest street party in Africa.

The festival, which first made its debut in 2004, has grown from a small local event to become an internationally celebrated annual fiesta of the best of Nigeria’s entertainment content and a blend of contemporary vibes attracting both local, national and international artistes as well as tourists from across the world.

Speaking at the Millennium Park, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyal Imoke, reassured the state’s practical commitment at using tourism products in the state to empower the people and grow the economy.

“Now that we do not have oil, the rich tourism deposit in the state, which is our strength, would be explored it to our advantage.

‘The theme of the carnival, which is challenging in terms of interpretation as it revolves round the state-of-the–state of Cross River will help us to re-strategise and build different brand products to run all year through.”

Christmas Day show

The carnival city of Nigeria, Calabar, Cross River State came alive with the high point of the 32-day festival on Christmas day showcasing the pride of the people through the participating bands.

The U. J. Eusene Stadium, Calabar, which was the point of convergence played host to visitors and carnival enthusiasts from within and outside Nigeria to watch the stage parade of the senior and junior carnival kings and queens.

The evening characterised by a speech-free, but entertainment-filled segments wetted the appetite of the spectators to demand for more as the different presentations and display by each band’s kings and Queens from the junior and senior categories outwitted themselves on  hi-tech stage with the preview of what to expect on the D-day.

The Christmas day came with a preview of the carnival proper as the various bands were out with their best costumes presenting the junior kings and queens for the contest.

At every stage of presentation, every band added different exciting and wonderful performance to not only entertain, but also to interpret the theme of the carnival and to come out victorious.

The day’s presentation ignited the spectators’ appetite of what to come and who was probably going to be the band of show.

The Xmas show at the Usuene Stadium ended with a performance by different upcoming and star artistes and a blend of dance competition with winners going home with beautiful gifts.

Boxing Day Show

The Boxing Day event was regarded by many as a dressed rehearsal for the adult carnival, which was one of the reasons for the presence of many tourists in the city.

The first major event for the day was the cultural parade, which saw some of the 18 local government councils of the state, displaying their unique and exciting cultural dances, music and songs. Some of the local governments’ troupes on display included those of Blaise, Yakurr, Akamkpa, Obudu, Ogoja and Obubra among others.

At mid-day was the children carnival with the five traditional carnival bands—Seagull, Bayside, Masta Blasta, Freedom and Passion 4 entertaining the people as they paraded the five-kilometre carnival route which terminated at the U.J Usuene Stadium. The Armed Forces of Nigeria band were not left out of the party as they also came with exciting and colourful display.

Adult Carnival

Friday December 27, played host to thousands of spectators, all lined up by the 12 kilometre carnival route; from the Millennium Park to U.J. Usuene stadium.

The adult carnival celebration drew a huge crowd of followers and participants as the five traditional bands and others including the new addition to the roll call, Nollywood band, which featured some of the notable Nigerian actors and actresses.

The Adult carnival, which is the brand signature of the 32-day festival set the city aglow with colours and blend of entertainment as the adult carnival, held sway.

Scenes from Carnival Calabar. Photo: ’Wale OlapadeCarnival enthusiasts from all walks of life joined the massive outing of people of Cross River State watching with great expectation as to what the five bands—Passion 4, Freedom, Bayside, Masta Blasta and Seagull – have to offer them following a heightened build to the day’s carnival.

Foreign troupes

The annual Carnival Calabar has in recent times attracted foreign participants in their drove to enjoy the biggest street party in Africa and this year’s event was not different, even with the unavoidable absence of the Brazilian Beija Flor, the Trinidad and Tobago steel band and Rwandan Dance troupe lighted up the street of Calabar with their wonderful performance.

For the enthusiastic crowd it was a night of celebration, fun and festivities, which heralded the two days carnival section.

And the winner is Masta Blasta

The aesthetic, energetic and innovative performance put together by the Masta Blasta band at interpreting the theme of this year’s carnival, gave them an edge as they thrilled the crowd to emerge this year’s winner.

Many described the MB display as out of this world.

Announcing this at the final adjudication point, the chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, said Masta Blasta beat four other bands—Seagull, Freedom, Bayside and four time winner, Passion4, to emerge overall winner.

Masta Blasta Band first defeated Passion4 at the 2012 edition of the carnival.

Our Carnival has become a cultural theatre on the street- Obioma Imoke

Basking  in the euphoria of the carnival, the wife of the governor of Cross River State, Mrs Obioma Imoke, has said that Carnival Calabar has grown beyond a mere leisure and fun to a soaring innovation, showcasing the pride of the people with variety of cultural entertainment.

Imoke who was in her best made the disclosure at the botanical garden at Mary Slessor Street, Calabar where she amongst sponsors, and band representatives from the five carnival bands; Bayside, Freedom, Passion 4, Seagull and Master Blaster cut the tape for the children carnival.

According to Mrs Imoke, “we have continued to improve in every aspect of the carnival to get to this stage and we aren’t gonna stop it now,” she promised.

“Our carnival is improving by the year with newer packages and features to challenge and bring out the best in the presentations of the bands to beat the expectations of the spectators, tourists and visitors.

With the rave of the presentation and aesthetics we added to pep up the annual outing, the carnival has become a cultural theatre on the street of Calabar.

“We have transformed cultural entertainment through Carnival Calabar from a stage to a street affair for the people not only to enjoy, but also to participate,” she added.