Amid pomp and pageantry, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu flagged off the 2023 Carnival Calabar with colours and razzmatazz at the Millennium Square round about at about 3pm with the theme “Season of Sweetness”.
The carnival revellers were unprecedented as they lined the entire Carnival route starting from Calabar road, through MarySlessor Avenue, Marian, Ndidem Usang Iso, Efio-Ete round about, MCC road and the Murtala Mohammed highway and terminating at the U.J.Esuene stadium.
Seven competing band’s Bayside, Master Blaster, Seagull, Freedom, Passion 4 (the old bands),
Diamond and Calasvegas (the two new ones) displaying almost all the 12 existing major colours and their various degrees as they performed with grandeur and dexterity causing the excited crowding yelling for more.
Some of the non competing bands include, Hit Fm, Governor’s, Civil Service and others.
It’s going to be a hard task for the judges picking the best from these star performing bands.
Food vendors are having swell time making brisk sales through the 11 kilometres Carnival route.
One of the food vendors, Mary Bassey said, “this is good for us. You can see we are making sales and I wish it’s a regular thing” .
While flagging off the show, Otu wished all the bands a successful outing saying the carnival will certainly showcase the beauty of Cross River, it’s tourism potentials projecting Nigeria at large.
Early hours of Friday, December 29, all the competing and non competing band’s will empty into the U. J. Esuene stadium for the final show and the winners for the competing band’s will be announced.
Catch your fun!
Photo Credit: Daniel Williams
