The 35th MassKara Festival kicks off today with Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella declaring it open and Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya giving the welcome message at the Bacolod Public Plaza at the opening salvo at 5:30 a.m.

The 19-day festival, organized by the Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc., will start with a “Fun MassKa-Run, Jog, Walk, Bike and Skate” at 5:30 a.m. that will take off from four starting points – the old airport, capitol lagoon, government center and Ayala North Point – and will convene at the plaza, Nestor Guilaran, Liaison Officer of Kasadya, said yesterday.

A ZumbassKara and opening salvo will greet the participants at the public plaza, he said.

The MassKara dancers and the drum beaters will perform during the program at the plaza and the 2014 MassKara Queen contestants have been invited to render a production number.

A thanksgiving mass and the opening program of the Elderly Week is also scheduled today at the BAYS Center at 8 a.m., as well as an on-the-spot Mask Making Contest at 9 a.m. at the public plaza, he said.

The Department of Education, Bacolod Division will hold the Banda sa MassKara drum and bugle competition after the program to be followed by the opening of the division meet, while the MassKara PAGCOR Night will be at 6:30 pm., also at the plaza.

Several other activities have been prepared with the private groups on October 2 and on Friday will be the ATOP Night at the government center. The Diocese of Bacolod will also have a 9-day Novena at the plaza for the Month of the Holy Rosary.

Eleven public elementary schools and 20 barangays will join the streetdance competition on October 17 and 18, respectively, while 14 barangays will compete for the Electric MassKara on Oct. 19.

Other events are the MassKara by the Sea, barangay night, MassKara Queen 2014: Day with Recovered Treasures at the Kalipay Foundation and the GMA DANSSKARA elimination round at the public plaza.

Around 600 police enforcers will lead the safety and security and peace and order of local and foreign tourist visiting the city.*CGS

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