Thousands expected to join Maskaride on  Oct.1

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City- More than 2,500 bikers are expected to flood the streets here in their best Masskara costume for the Masskaride which will take place the day after the official kick-off of the first festival under the leadership of Mayor Albee Benitez.

Masskara organizers said on Sunday that this is the first Masskara costume fun ride.

Over the weekend, organizers announced that they already have 2,526 registrants and counting.

The fun ride is open to bikers 15 years and older who will traverse a 20-kilometer stretch starting from the Bacolod City Government Center at 5:45 AM on October 1.

The route will pass through major streets in the city covering the Circumferential Access Road towards Barangay Bata, proceeding to Mandalagan-Lacson, Gatuslao St., the Public Plaza, Rizal Street and onwards to Megaworld Upper East till the finish line back at the government center.

“We are very excited about the interest generated by the Masskaride and surprised by the sheer number of participants,” Festival Director Pinky Ocampo said.

A number of volunteers will also be deployed along the route and security and safety measures are in place to oversee the needs of the bikers, she added.

Ocampo reminded the participants to “wear your best Masskara costumes” as those wearing creative festival outfits while riding will receive medals and merchandise from the organizers.

She added that there will also be raffle prizes which will include a Trek Mountain Bike as the major prize.