The Calabar Carnival is one of the most significant and widely celebrated cultural events in Nigeria, and this year’s edition was nothing short of spectacular.
The competition was fierce, and the Calas Vegas Band emerged as the overall winner of the Carnival Calabar competitive events, leaving behind all other competing bands in their wake.
Led by the renowned Chief Edem Duke, former Minister for Culture and Tourism and former Cross River Commissioner for Tourism, the band performed with unmatched energy and enthusiasm, thrilling the revellers with their stunningly decorated costumes and theatrical materials.
The Calas Vegas performance was truly a sight to behold, exhibiting the glory of Cross River in all its splendour.
The band’s focus on greenery, enticing tourism destinations, and more was nothing short of mesmerizing, leaving everyone in awe.
Notably, the Passion 4 band, the band with the most wins in the history of the carnival, came in second, while the Seagull band led by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, came third.
Moreover, the Children’s Carnival Category was equally intense, with Passion 4 emerging as winners, Seagull Band coming second, and Calas Vegas securing the third position.
In the Local Government Area Category, Odukpani came first, Akpabuyo emerged second, and Calabar South won the third position.
The Cultural Festival was equally thrilling, with Akwa Ibom coming first, Ebonyi second, while Edo and Ondo states both came third in the state category.
The street party segment of the carnival was equally spectacular, where each band performed in line with the theme for the carnival, “Season of Sweetness.”
The performers put on a 12-kilometre display, starting at the Millennium Park and continuing through to the UJ Esuene Stadium, where performances continued until dawn when the winners were announced.
The bands were assessed by teams of jury, and the competition was intense.
The Carnival Calabar witnessed a grand gathering of top dignitaries across the country, which is a testament to the significance of this cultural event.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and the Calas Vegas Band’s victory was well-deserved.
