Carnival Calabar 2024: Diamond Band Kicks Off Preparations

Diamond Carnival Band launched its preparations for the 2024 Carnival Calabar with a fitness event called “Fit Frenzy” on Saturday. The 11-kilometer walk, which began at the Millennium Park near Eleven Eleven Roundabout, concluded with an aerobics session at the band’s Mass Camp on Diamond Hill, despite rainy conditions.

Effiong Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Calabar International Festival Committee and Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu, praised the initiative. He assured attendees that this year’s carnival, themed “Our Shared Prosperity,” would be “bigger and better” with new innovations introduced by the government.

Eric Anderson, Leader of Diamond Carnival Band, explained that the event was designed to prepare members emotionally, mentally, and physically for the December carnival. He announced plans for another fitness event in September, leading up to the first dry run in October.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the event, with many seeing it as a reunion and morale booster. Ubong Isaiah, a reveller, admitted he initially underestimated the event but found it enjoyable. Berkie Effiong, a frontline performer, expressed confidence in the band’s chances of winning this year.

The government has promised a level playing field for all seven competing carnival bands. Despite being a relatively new entrant, Diamond Band showed promising performance in the 2023 event and aims to build on that success.

The first official Carnival Calabar activities are set to begin in October, with the main event taking place in December. The organizers hope these preparatory events will energize participants and align them with the carnival’s theme of shared prosperity for Cross River State.