Goa to host Vintage Bikeand Car Festival-2016in Oct

Goans will witness a motley of classic vehicles plying on city roads with vintage car and bikes enthusiasts set to take part in the first-of-its-kind Vintage Bikeand Car Festival-2016 on October 1, organised by the Tourism department.
"Come October 1, more than 50 Vintage vehicles (bikes and cars) are slated to drive down town in the capital city and will be a treat to the eyes at the INOX Courtyard," tourism department spokesperson said in a release here today.
"Vintage two-wheelers and four wheelers dated from 1921 to 1970willbe on display. Cars that one would get a glimpse of at the festival include the Citroen, Austin, Morris, Cadillac, Ford, Chevrolet, Mercedes, Volkswagen and bikes like Norton, BSA and BMW," the official said.

"We are planning the one-day event whichis going to bevery exciting as vintage carsand bikes from vintage car museums, thosein use and thosemaintained forexhibitions will all be participating in it," Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said.
Vintage bike and carcollectors andusers from Goa and across the state bordershave already expressedeagerness to bea part ofthe festival.
In view of the encouraging response from collectors, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the tourism department said they areoptimistic that the festivalwill be ahuge success.

It is also toying with the idea ofmaking the festival anannual event to attract in-bound tourists andwilladd it on its calendar of eventsafter the conductof the first edition, the release said.

Nilesh Cabral, chairman of GTDC said, "Goa has a rich heritage whether it is monuments, forts, or houses. Vintage automobile is another form of heritage. There are many vintage car fans in Goa who are passionate about it. Through the festival, we hope to kindle that hobbyand motivate local Goans and others to preserve vintage vehicles."
This candraw touristsfromdomestic and international markets to Goa whohavean appetite for heritage, he added.
On October 1, Parulekar will flag off the festivalat Paryatan Bhavan, Patto at 10:30 am. Participating cars and bikes will move through the city till Dona Paula junction and wind its way to the INOX courtyard for an exhibition between 12 pm to 6 pm.

Prizes for the oldest car and appealing car will be awarded in addition to prizes for several other competitions and activities, the release said.