BRAND REPORTENTERTAINMENT
Winners emerge in thrilling 2024 Calabar Carnival fiesta
The carnival attracted revellers from states across Nigeria and international tourists.
Winners have emerged in the thrilling 2024 Calabar Carnival fiesta in Cross River state. The Calas Vegas carnival band has emerged the grand winner of the 2024 Calabar Carnival.The band, which had also clinched the first position during the 2023 Calabar Carnival, beat six other bands to emerge overall winner again in 2024.
This was announced after the Carnival Street party as the bands were adjudged by teams of adjudicators at four different performance points.
The bands had caught the attention of the revellers through their beautiful costumes and well presented electrifying performances.
Seagull band clinched the second position, while Bayside band secured the third position.
The seven competitive and seven non-competitive bands were made to cover a 12km carnival parade from the Millennium Park through the Mary Slessor Avenue to the UJ Esuene Stadium.
The competitive bands were: Passion 4, Freedom, Bayside, Calas Vegas, Masta Blasta, Seegull, and Diamond bands.
Each band displayed performances in accordance with the theme of the carnival: “Our Shared Prosperity.”
Passion 4 Carnival Band, 11-time winner of the Calabar Carnival, which donned green and pink dominated attire, presented an electrifying performance, harping on the need for happiness in the land.
In dramatic and engaging displays, Seagull Carnival Band harped on the need for peaceful coexistence to achieve prosperity and progress.
The two-time winner of Calabar Carnival competitive challenge harped on the essence of good legislation, food security, seamless transport system, welfare scheme, and education.
Diamond Carnival Band focused on the significance of peaceful coexistence, stressing that this would go a long way in attracting investors to the country and the state.
In melodramatic form, the team displayed the message of welcoming visitors and investors.
Freedom Carnival Band in satirical performance, advocated for economic diversification and equitable resource distribution.
Bayside Carnival Band on the other hand explored a sub-theme: “Our culture, our strength,” as they projected the rich culture of the Oyono community of Cross River.
For the cultural carnival among states, Akwa-Ibom state emerged winner, Osun became the first runner up while Delta emerged the second runner up.
In the Local Government Areas category, Yakurr won, Calabar South bagged second position while Odukpani came third.
For the Junior Carnival, Calas Vegas band also emerged winner, while Seagull band clinched the second position, and Bayside secured the third position.
BRANDECONOMY reports that the carnival, which featured three dry runs in Oct. before the main carnival, attracted revellers from states across Nigeria and international tourists.
Runtown, Iyanya thrill fans at Calabar Carnival Live Concert
The UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River, was abuzz with excitement on Friday night as Nigerian music sensations, Runtown and Iyanya, displayed electrifying performances at the 2024 Calabar Carnival Live Concert.
BRANDECONOMY reports that the duo’s energetic performances were a perfect blend of their hit songs, infectious beats, and captivating stage presence.
Runtown, known for his unique sound and style, performed some of his biggest hits, like “Mad Over You” and “For Life”.
Iyanya, on the other hand, brought the stage down with his signature blend of R&B and Afrobeats, performing crowd-pleasers like “Kukere” , “Ur Waist” and more.
The crowd was thoroughly entertained, singing along to every song and dancing.
The energy was palpable, with fans waving their hands and screaming for more.
A reveller, Kennedy Amadi, from Imo, in an interview with NAN said he deliberately travelled from Abuja, his base, to experience performances by Runtown and Iyanya.
Amadi said he was not disappointed as he got value for his money after being entertained.
Also, Jidenna Akpan who was attending a live concert for the first time, said she enjoyed every bit of the artistes’ energetic performances.
“This is so interesting and I will be looking forward to the next edition of the carnival concert. Then, I believe other artistes will be allowed to perform as well,” she said.
For Frank Udo, meeting Runtown at the concert was the highlight of the carnival for him.
BRANDECONOMY reports that other up-and-coming artistes also performed to the excitement of the revellers.
