Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has restored the 32 days of non-stop festivities which is usually part of the Carnival Calabar celebration.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Events Management Effiong Ekpenyong stated this in Calabar during an interaction with the media ahead of this year’s celebration.

The month long celebration was scaled down by previous administrations in the state over the years ostensibly due to lack of funds.

However, this has been restored by the new administration in the state in addition to the boat regatta and other innovations.

Giving more details about the innovation for this year’s celebration which is tagged “Season of sweetness”, Effiong Ekpenyong said other attractions this year are the voices of Calabar choir competition, and a queen of humanity beauty contest.

He said elders will also participate in the festivity and an Elders Night for people above 65 years will be held where our elders will be honoured and celebrated.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the State Carnival Commission Austin Cobham said sponsors and partners will participate extensively in this year’s carnival and the state government will only step in areas where there are no sponsorship.

He added South Africa, Egypt, Brazil have so far confirmed their participation in this year’s event.

Others he said are about 20 states in Nigeria and the eighteen local government areas in the state will participate in the cultural carnival.

He also disclosed that the Children’s Carnival will be brought back and will be staged in a way that is consistent with the State’s Child Rights Act and the UNICEF charter.

He said the commission is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that this year’s festivities is quite memorable.