As a celebration of the diamond year when Bacolod was chartered as a city, the 2008 MassKara Festival will highlight its membership in the global community of cities. It will celebrate in its world-famous MassKara festival, the things that make it unique and therefore attractive to the people around the world: its food, its art and culture, its investment-friendly environment, its world-class manpower, its indomitable spirit and inimitable energy.

     The festival will also highlight the city's effort at helping promote environment-friendly practices, as a responsible citizen of the world.

     The activities of the 2008 festival are designed around this framework.

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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
     The food for MassKara kiosks around the plaza will be reengineered to make them family-friendly. New structures, new rules (no more viodeokes; use of disposables) will be enforced and more lights be installed. Entertainment will be boosted.

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      The search for MassKara Queen will be deconstructed into four major segments, to be held on different dates and different venues. The coronation night will be held at the open air venue at the Electric MassKara, along Lacson St. and the new queen and her court, in their festival costumes, will officially join the Countdown to Charter Day party at City Hall.

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     The MassKara Queen festival costume will be held during the streetdancing competition, with the candidates coming in floats to the plaza.

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     Electric MassKara float parade: 10 lighted floats will lighted dancers atop will add more color and drama to the festivities. They will move from Araneta to Lacson St.

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    Electric MassKara streetdancing: 10 groups at least 20 lighted dancers each will compete in the first Electric MassKara streetdancing competition to be held at Lacson St.

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     Patik, the MassKara Beat Contest. A competition of mobile homegrown bands, using homemade instruments from junk materials and performing to a distinct beat and marching ala drumline.

     Electric MassKara Year II. Lacson St. from 5th St. to North Drive will turn into one giant party strip on Oct.17, 18 and 19, for the second Electric MassKara Concerts, parades, and a food festival of global Bacolod dishes will be held here.

     Countdown to Charter Day. A giant street party with the live bands as the city keeps for the 70th year celebration. 70 seconds to midnight, the party counts down and at 12 midnight sings happy birthday to Bacolod amid fireworks and music. This will be connected to the Lacson St. party by video screens.

      Magica MassKara. Now on its 4th year, this visual arts exhibits, spearheaded by the city's internationally-known artists will be held at the Orange Gallery. The exhibit has been known for its forward-looking vision, playing around the idea of magical masks.

     MassKara Nights. Concerts and other events, sponsors by different groups.