By Emma Una

CALABAR—Large numbers of visitors descended on Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for the annual Calabar Carnival parade which starts today.

The parade was shifted from Sunday to today.

The crowd which comprises participants and spectators is mostly composed of young girls and ladies, who are excited about the revelry the annual parade provides them and their friends.

“I am from Port Harcourt and in the past four years, I have participated in the carnival parade as a member of Masta Blasta Band and I can’t wait for the fun to start,” Jane, a student of University of Port Harcourt, told Vanguard.

Visitors to Calabar for the carnival were noticeable everywhere, particularly driving round the city, as the number of vehicles on the roads has caused traffic gridlocks in most parts of the city.  Places such as Marian Road, Calabar Road, Mary Slessor Avenue and Etta Agbo Road are the most affected, as high numbers of seat-out spots and beer parlours located on these routes recorded high numbers of fun seekers.

Yesterday, when this reporter drove round the city to catch a glimpse of the preparations, several hours were spent navigating through the maze of cars on the roads which made the effort a herculean task.

A visitor from Abuja, Leko, said he had been in the traffic on MCC Road/Effio Ete Junction for over three hours, a distance of less than four kilometres which ordinarily takes less than 10 minutes.

“It has not been easy moving this short distance to my hotel because of the snarling traffic but I am hopeful that soon the nightmare will be over as I can see some good Samaritans are trying to clear the traffic by the round about,” he said.

Hotels in the city are also witnessing high patronage because of the influx of visitors, who have taken up accommodation for the duration of the carnival, which is to be rounded off on January 2,  2016.  Already artistes such  2Face, Pastoranking and others  have been entertaining audiences free at the Calabar Sports Stadium every night.