BIKER-fest aficionados got an eyeful yesterday as participants in this year’s exposition, dubbed ‘Magic in the Sky’, gave a demonstration of sorts of what can be expected of them today when the event takes to the National Park. Starting off from the Square of the Revolution on Vlissengen Road under the watchful gaze of Cuffy, one of the champions of Emancipation, the stuntmen made their way west via Croal Street, then east on Church and north into Irving before heading for the Park, where they really got going and did their thing, much to the delight and amusement of those gathered there to witness the spectacle.          
According to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, the festival has always had the agency’s blessings as it is one of the biggest family-oriented events here during the August holidays.
Making the bold declaration during a press briefing to launch the event, he  assured the sport-loving public by way of the media that every effort is being made to ensure that they are afforded the best quality of recreational and entertainment activities to promote family values and encourage healthy social interactions.
The event, now in its sixth consecutive year, is slated to feature some of the best Free- Style Motor Cross athletes in the world, with the organizers reaffirming  that besides being ‘family-oriented’, it will also showcase a number of dirt and street bikes made for extreme stunts, performing mind boggling flips, twists, tricks and spills that will thrill.
The three teams to be featured include Ruthless Tactics of New Jersey, which specializes in ‘Drifting’, which is a new twist in the stunt world; FMX of Atlanta, Georgia which comprises Clint Esposito, Dan Weeks, Robert Dotson and Tim Dyson; and  Geared Up, made up of Joseau and Jacob, coming all the way from the Sunshine State of Florida and  known as the  masters of the street bikes or  CBRs.
Given the intensity of the stunts, special ramps were reportedly erected by InFab Fabrication Incorporated to facilitate airborne and other stunts.
Minister Prashad said that based on projections, more than 15,000 people are expected to converge on the National Park for the show, which spells a bigger turnout than last year, which saw some 12,000 patrons in attendance.
Forming a major part of Bikers Fest 2011 will be such local acts as the BMX Boys and stuntmen from Sonic Hunters Motorcycle Club, and a burnout competition, with ‘Bluie Maxx’, aka ‘Chow Pow’, playing host.
Fans will also be afforded the opportunity of taking photos with the bikers and riders at the conclusion of the show.
In addition to persons from North America and the Caribbean coming to see the show, a few hundred Surinamese are also expected to grace the event with their presence.
As an enthused Minister Prashad observed at the briefing: “It is a highly-successful, well-organized event, and this year, a bigger contingent is expected from Suriname and other countries.”
Bikerfest is now an annual calendar event for the Ministry of Tourism, which largely caters to Guyanese living in North America wanting to come home for the August holidays. 
According to Minister Prashad, there has been a clamour by nationals to vacation in Guyana, and participate in the many activities that are being planned for the summer, including Jamzone, a yearly concert organized by Hits and Jams Promotions.
Gates for the event open at 17:00hrs, but the show commences at 19:00hrs.
Tickets cost $ 1500 for children and $ 2500 for adults and are available at Exclusive Styles, Camp Street; Wireless Connections, Bourda; Nigel’s Supermarket, Robb Street; Street Styles, Bar Street Kitty; and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company ( GT& T) main office, Brickdam. VIP tickets are also available at $10,000 at Nigel’s Supermarket.
This event is sponsored by GT& T, Ansa McAl and Pepsi. (Chevon Singh)