Commission to Host First Carnival Calabar Dryrun in October

The Cross River State Carnival Commission has concluded plans to host the first rehearsal for the 2023 edition of Carnival Calabar in two weeks.

A statement signed the executive secretary of the commission, Evangelist Austin Cobham indicated that the first dryrun would be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 1.30pm.

Cobham further indicated, “the Cross River State Carnival Commission wishes to inform the public, particularly residents of calabar that the  2023 Carnival  Calabar Dryrun has will be flagged off soon. The first dryrun is in two weeks on the 15th of October 2023.

“The second dryrun has also been scheduled for the 12th of November 2023 and the third for the third dryrun will be held on the 10th of December 2023,” he hinted.

The executive secretary stated, “we also wish to remind residents and in fact our guests and tourists that with the reintroduction of the Children’s Carnival by our beloved governor, Senator Bassey Otu, the commission has also scheduled  for the Children dryrun for Sunday, 17th December, 2023.” 

Cobham stressed, “all dryruns will commence by 1.30pm each time. The commission enjoins the public especially churches and event planners to please take note of these dates and adjust their event times accordingly.

“However, the routes shall be partially closed and opened as carnival progresses on each of the days the dryrun will hold,” he indicated.

In an interview, the executive secretary said “the main carnival dryruns would be along the 12 kilometre carnival route kicking off at the Millennium Park, while the children dryrun, which is six kilometres would commence from the first adjudication point along the Mary Slessor avenue through Marian road on to IBB way and terminates at the stadium.

“During the children dryrun, the other route that the float will not go through will be left open to traffic. We do not want to shutdown the city when the float will not get to other parts.,” he said.

Background

Meanwhile, during the recent Akwaaba festival in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, Governor Otu unveiled the theme for the 2023 edition tagged “Season of Sweetness” and promised to give tourists, visitors and guests the best experience yet.

The seven carnival bands, Masta Blasta, Bayside, Seagull, Passion 4, Freedom and Diamond as well as Calas Vegas would be actively participating in the dryrun adorned in their unique colours.

The Carnival Calabar was started by former Governor Donald Duke in 2004, while in 2007, Governor Liyel Imoke introduced the Children’s Carnival and Governor Ben Ayade further expanded the offerings in 2017 with the introduction of the International Carnival, where other countries within and outside Africa participated.