By Ugbor Alabaster
A new entrant, Calas Vegas band has emerged winner of the 2023 Carnival Calabar described as most attractive, innovative and biggest street party in Africa. Passion 4 emerged 2nd while Seagulls Band clinched the 3rd position.
It was a beautiful parade from the well organized and magnificently decorated Master Blasta, Passion 4, Freedom, Seagull, Bayside, Diamond and Calas Vegas bands.
These bands with so much hard work, intentionality and genuineness told stories of oneness, harmony, motivation, diplomacy, renaissance, in an energetic youthful and ingenious displays, celebrating the rebirth of ‘seasons of sweetness.’
Flagging off the the Carnival from the Millennium Park, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, revealed that his maiden edition of the Carnival “is a tip of the iceberg” as it is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to make it a bigger platform.
According to him, “the spirit in the air of this year’s edition has been something else completely. The festival promises more additions, innovations and creations that will maintain the seasons of sweetness.”
The Carnival Calabar and Festival 2023 had First Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank of Africa, DSTV, Go TV Hit FM and many others as their sponsors.
This year’s event considered a huge success ended in the early hours of today, December 29 at the U.J.Esuene stadium after a breathtaking street party by all the bands through the 12 kilometres Carnival route that attracted thousands of revellers, residents and tourists from within and outside the country.
In the Children’s Carnival that featured on December 27, Passion 4 band came 1st, Seagulls band 2nd and Calas Vegas 3rd
For the Calabar Cultural Carnival in the State category, Akwa Ibom took the 1st position, Ebonyi 2nd while Ondo and Edo shared the 3rd spot.
In the Local Governments Area category, Odukpani came 1st, Akpabuyo 2nd and Calabar South 3rd.
