THUNDER BAY – Marina Park was full of colour on Sunday as residents participated in an Indian tradition that goes back thousands of years.
While the tradition of the Festival of Colours is millennia old, Thunder Bay’s local event has run for just 14 years and Dr. Prashant Jani, the organizer of the festival said that the community has really embraced the event since it was brought to Thunder Bay.
“It is like a unique fun event and everybody loves food, music and colours, you know?” he said. “So it's a universal phenomenon, it's a universal culture, I would say.”
The Festival of Colours is a joyful reminder to cast away bad feelings and worries into the wind and hundreds of residents came out to this year's event to enjoy the music, dancing and for the chance to cover their families, friends, neighbours and themselves in brightly coloured powder.
Blue, orange, pink, green, yellow and purple could be seen on almost everyone in attendance and Dr. Jani said the colour throws are done in a safe way, as the colours are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
“They are made from corn and you can eat it,” he said. “I don't recommend eating, but they are very safe, environmentally healthy and they're certified colours, so most welcome to use all the colours.”
Colour throws happened every 40 minutes, with interactive dances happening in-between and a few attendees said the event is always on their summer bucket list.
“It's just awesome to see the community coming together to celebrate India and it's just fun to see everybody doing all the colours and dancing and it's great, it's fun,” said Emerson Gerrish, attendee.
The event keeps on growing with every year according to Dr. Jani who said that he's happy to be able to share this piece of Indian tradition with the community.
“We're thankful to all the sponsors, volunteers who are making us happen and all the community members who are supporting, especially the media, who are helping us to reach out to so many people and ask them to come to the event,” he said.
