Carnival Calabar Dry Run To Commence October 15th

The 2023 Carnival Calabar Dry Run has been announced by the Cross River State Government.

In a press release signed and issued by the Executive Secretary of the State Carnival Commission Austin Cobham, states that the first dry run will be held on Sunday, October 15th, 2023 along the carnival routes.

As part of its commitment to raise the bar for this year’s Carnival Calabar, dubbed Africa’s Biggest Street Party, the Cross River State Carnival Commission has concluded plans to host the first rehearsal.

A statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Evangelist Austin Cobham, indicated that the rehearsal, which has been tagged first Carnival Calabar Dryru,n would be held on Sunday, October 15, from 1.30pm.

“The Cross River State Carnival Commission wishes to inform the public, particularly, residents of Calabar that the 2023 Carnival Calabar Dryrun will be flagged off soon. The first dryrun is in two weeks on October 15, 2023. The second dryrun has also been scheduled for November 12, 2023 and the third dryrun will be held on December 10, 2023,” Cobham hinted.

He added, “we also wish to remind residents, and in fact, our guests and tourists that with the reintroduction of the Children’s Carnival by our governor, Senator Bassey Otu, the commission has also scheduled the Children dryrun to hold on Sunday, December 17, 2023.”

“All dryruns will commence by 1.30pm each time. The commission enjoins the public especially churches and event planners to 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,” Cobham stated.

According to the executive secretary, “the main carnival dryruns will be along the 12 kilometre carnival route kicking off at the Millennium Park, while the children dryrun, which is six kilometres is expected to commence from the first adjudication point along the Mary Slessor avenue through Marian road on to IBB way and terminate 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 shut down the city when the float will not get to other part.”

Governor Otu had during the recent Akwaaba Festival in Lagos, 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 state government recently approved the schedule of the main carnival, which is expected to start from December 1 to 31. The carnival, presumed to be the largest in Africa, has improved the cultural aspect of the country, as its high costumes reflect the people’s cultural heritage.

The Carnival was started by former Governor Donald Duke in 2004. 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.

Some of the major events featured during the carnival festival, include the crowning of the carnival queens and kings for each band, J’ouvert Band fetes, the children carnival, the Christmas party cultural carnival, the yearly Ekpe masquerade festival, music performances from both national and international artistes, fashion show, beauty pageant, boat regatta, Christmas village, traditional dances and the Mary Slessor Golf Charity dinner.

October 07, 2023