THUNDER BAY – The Festival of India is returning to Marina Park on Saturday, showcasing the food, music and culture of the second-most populated country on the planet.
In its ninth year, the event has proven to be one of the most popular on Thunder Bay’s summer schedule, said organizer Prashant Jani.
“It is a unique festival that brings the sight, sound and taste of India right into the middle of nowhere in Thunder Bay,” Jani said on Thursday.
“If you lived in Toronto and went right to a big city like Winnipeg or Calgary, nothing like that happens in Northwestern Ontario. This is the place where we have this celebration of cultural entertainment.”
From classical East Indian dancers all the way from Los Angeles and India, musicians playing traditional Indian songs and activities for children, there’s something for everyone.
New this year, with the younger set in mind, is the boat festival.
“We have a nice 30-foot-long pool which will be filled with water for the kids. We have special paddle boats for the kids, so when they’re paddling they can watch the things on the stage. It’s a unique thing we’ve brought to the festival.”
The highlight of the event is always the chariot parade, which begins at 4 p.m., an hour after the Festival of India opens.
“The chariot goes around Marina Park. It’s an 18-foot high mechanical chariot that people pull with the ropes and they sing and dance along with the parade. The singers and dancers for that parade are coming from India, Ukraine, Russia and from Canada,” Jani said.
The festival, including much of the Indian food being prepared, is free of charge.
“Everybody loves food, and that’s what attracts lot of people,” Jani said. “We serve a free East Indian dinner, that includes naan bread, cholay curry, rice and halva, which is a sweet dish. Everything is free for everyone,” he said
“In addition, if you’re still hungry after eating all that food, then we have samosas and pakoras, sweet dishes, sold by the vendors.”
The Festival of Indian begins at 3 p.m.
Its sister event, the Festival of Colours, is scheduled for Sept. 9.
