The On going 32 days of non-stop entertainment, anchored by Africa’s biggest street party, Calabar Carnival comes alive on twitter. 

This year biggest and longest multi-dimensional, multi-faceted tourism leisure and entertainment programme in West Africa will be through the eyes of twitter.

This Cross River State Festive Season Carnival is undisputedly the most colorful in Africa where close to a million participants from all over the world exhibit their talents and share the lovely moments on twitter.

 The Carnival Calabar takes place on the 26th and 27th December each year and is the highlight of the 32-day Calabar Festival which runs from 30th November to 1st January

The 2014 event is  Hash-tagged “#Calabarfestival2014 #CelebrationTime #1stDryRun

According to the Chairman, this year’s Calabar Festival, promises to be best in terms of packaging, organization and security, despite he proceeded that “This year’s festival promises to be another 32 days of non-stop entertainment, anchored by Africa’s biggest street party, Carnival Calabar”.

“Adequate security has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free celebration and we guarantee that the ‘green, clean & serene’ ambience of the city will be maintained”.

The First choice Carnival in Nigeria and the biggest self-sustaining socio-cultural event in Africa came alive at the Streets of Calabar on November 30th, 2014, as the annual tree lighting ceremony of #CalabarFestival2014 was declared open with theme #CelebrationTime by deputy governor Efio Cobham @EfiokCobham  on twitter.

It is Africa world-class street party compared to likes of Notting Hill carnival and Rio De Janeiro Carnival in Brazil .

The programme of this annual event was drafted by the committee in charge of tourism and cultural activities these, include Carnival Calabar football competition(The Carni-Cal Cup), Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Carnival Calabar Queen Pageant grand finale incorporating the Mary Slessor Golf ,Bayside and Freedom),Traditional drumming, arts, crafts and food festival, Music performances from both local and international artists, fashion shows, Senior and Junior Kings and Queens Competion ,Christmas village, traditional dances, Boat regatta, Ekpe Festival festival (which is a yearly events that bring in thousands of tourists at the time of the year).

According to the work plan by the committee, other activities include the second edition of Essay Writing Competition, which will involve both secondary school and tertiary students. (This is designed to resuscitate the reading culture amongst the youths of the state), contemporary issues of global concerns, children Christmas Camp, Theatre performances, vocational trainings for youth, Fashion and Food Fairs, a weekend at the Obudu Ranch Resort to celebrate Africa, and so many other side attractions.

 Over the years, this musical concert has featured our own National Stars from the likes of Koko Master D’banj, TuFace Idibia (TuBaba), Asa, @PeterPsquare and @PaulPsquare, @Flavour, @Timaya, Banky W, KC, Sound Sultan Waje, Sunny Nneji, Sasha, Blackky, and @Jmartins. Fun was understatement when international artiste such as Chevelle Franklin, Ron Kenoly, Mary Mary Dube (of blessed memory), Oliver Mtukudzi, Akon, Kirk Franklin, Fat Joe, Neyo, were included as guest performers. it was simply tremendous mood for the fans  seat back and watch Shaggy perform hit songs like, “It Wasn’t Me”, “Mr. Lover”, “Mr. Boombastic”,etc have all  at one time or another graced the Festival with their rhythms and lyrics just to mention but few.

AY, Basket Mouth, @KlintdaDrunk, @JuliusAgwu, @IGoDye, Gordons, made the crowd rumble while cracking there ribs during performances

The heat is one for the most entising carnival of the year kick start in a grand style but you have not missed much . For more updates and be able to download the schedule of the event , follow #CalabarFestival2014 , #SightsAndSounds, #CalabarFestival,#BestCarnivalPic

Oc KabaKaba@Ghenedinho tweeted that he is on his way to #CalabarCarnival2014 . What are you waiting for ? but don’t forget that  Effiong Ekpenyong @doubleeforreal will be happy to hear from you by posting live #BestCarnivalPic and happenings . He  tweeted that “missing your tweets already because my radio show is going on #PARADISEsUNRISEsATURDAYmORNIN

What was your #BestCarnivalPic #CalabarFestival2014 ? Notting Hill carnival, In United Kingdom and Rio De Janeiro Carnival in Brazil are millions of kilometers away but #CalabarFestival2014 is just a mile stone away from you. Your tweets and follow-up will go a long way in showcasing our heritage   to the global world.