The entertainment industry witnessed an unprecedented boost in Rivers State last  Yuletide as activities in the various aspects of the industry such as music, dance tourism and the hospitality outlets were at their peak. The season witnessed carnivals, beach and street parties, cultural displays beauty pageants and what have you?, while traders, operators of hospitality outlets and show biz personalities smiled to the banks.

The Rivers State Cultural Festival tagged CARNIRIV 2012 which coincided with the centenary celebration of Port Harcourt City  opened the flood gate of activities that showcased the cultural heritage of the Rivers people and attracted both local and international  personalities, tourists and big time investors who stormed the state to participate in the historic events.

Some of the events that brought the state to world recognition include the international aquatic fiesta and boat regatta  that showcased the aquatic prowess of the state to the delight of the local and foreign spectators, cultural exhibitions, international heritage and Garden city free style heritage parades and Ekere Rhythm of the tribes that highlighted the rich and enviable cultural heritage of the Rivers people through  music and dance.

Other events were dance of fireflies, highlife/old school Jams, Black African Music fiesta (BAMFEST) and Reggae 360. These events were dominated by music of various genres and featured seasoned local  and international artistes such as Shaggy, Jamaican born Morgan Heritage, Raggae Idol, Ras Kimono, Oritz Whilliki as well as 2 Face, Tymaya, Port Harcourt first son, Duncan mighty, Peter Stone Cold, African China, Muma Gee and King Sunny Brown amongst others.

Within this period, the state also played host to Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant. These events were closely followed by beach parties in most of the local government areas of the state including Bonny, Buguma, Opopo, Ogu/Bolo Etc as well as street parties in almost all the major streets in Port Harcourt, while the villages were not left out in the celebrations.

In a chat with The Tide entertainment, a Port Harcourt based show biz personality and one of the organizers of most of the street parties in Port Harcourt, Prince Nicholas Duke noted that last year’s celebrations were exceptional in terms of fun, security and entertainment generally. According to him, last year’s carnivals and street parties were well organised hence there were no casualties or public disturbances like in previous ones.

Duke thanked the state government for the security arrangement and reiterated that the security personnel lived up to expectation. He said they should be encouraged because without adequate security, subsequent events may not succeed. He also advised that similar events should also be encouraged as they bring about love, unity and friendship amongst the people and serve as antidote to cultism and other social vices among the youths.

The Chief Executive of Dukesons Ventures said he was optimistic that 2013 would be better as people have embraced  the new development and look forward to them. He said the awareness was encouraging and it would serve as a boost to the entertainment and tourism sectors of the state as well as generate more revenue for the state.