The Calabar Carnival which is an annual event to celebrate the end of year in Calabar, (Garden City), lived up to its billing as the best street party ever staged in this part of the divide.
2014 Calabar Carnival Ends In A Blaze Of Colour
The ancient city of Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, in South-South Nigeria, Literally went up in a blaze of beautiful colours as the 2013 edition of the biggest street party in Africa, the Calabar Carnival, drew to a befitting end.
The Carnival which drew crowds in their millions from all parts of the world, kicked off with the make-up of participants in their different colourful attires and when the make-up artistes were through, what we had was a stupendous mix of beauty, resplendence and class.
That done, all the Carnival bands comprising of Master Blaster, Bayside, Seagull, Freedom and Passion 4 Bands, were ready for the street party. The governor of the state, Sen. Liyel Imoke and his wife, Obioma Imoke, and other dignitaries made their entrance for the take of the street tour and that was when the conundrum of joy was let loose as the bands marched, danced and made different kinds of aesthetic displays to the delight of the teeming crowd of onlookers which included tourists from different parts of the world.
From the takeoff point at 11-11, down the long Mary Slessor Street to the Murtala Mohammed Highway, the over 12 kilometer walk seemed like a very short distance as the crowd could not have enough of the excitement.
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The highlight of the Carnival was when former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa led an array of Nigerian movie stars with her band, Seagull.
The crowd went into an overdrive of ecstasy and frenzy as they harried, screamed, outdid themselves and fell over one another to touch and have a glimpse of their favourite stars which included Nkem Owoh, (Osuofia), John Okafor, (Mr. Ibu), Fred Amata, Funke Akindele, (Jenifa), Tonto Dikeh, (Poko), Ime 'Bishop' Umoh, (Okon Lagos), Uti Nwachukwu, Uche Jombo and Emeka Enyiocha.
Many of the stars had to go into the crowd, shake hands with their fans and take photographs. The street party terminated at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, with another fanfare and glamour.
Pulse.ng was there all day to bring you pictures and videos.
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