THUNDER BAY – The Festival of India and the Festival of Colours are making a vibrant return to Marina Park this weekend.
Prashant Jani, festival organizer for both events, is promising "probably one of the largest Festivals of Colours in Canada."
“We started 16 years back when we had a small gathering of about 60 people,” said Jani. “Last year, we had about 7,000 people attending the two-day event. It has expanded a bit.”
The celebration begins on Saturday at 3 p.m. with the Festival of India.
The event opens with a chariot parade.
“The chariot is a beautiful 18-foot-high structure,” Jani said. “It represents universal love and brotherhood. So everyone is pulling the chariot, and then there are musicians, singers, and dancers from Toronto and other parts of Canada, and they are going to sing and dance along with the parade."
The parade runs from about 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and afterwards, the stage at Marina Park will host an evening of performances.
"We have spectacular performances on the stage, which include folk dances from India and other parts of the world,” said Jani. “Then we have a drama team visiting from Southern Ontario. They're going to perform a drama. Then we have live singing performances, lots of wonderful performances on the stage.”
“We have free food being distributed at Marina Park for all the guests, delicious East Indian meals, which include chole curry, naan bread, halwa sweet dish, and rice,” he said. “We also have lots of vendors selling a variety of delicious food items.”
Other attractions include henna tattoo booths, a children’s activities area, and exhibits on Eastern culture and philosophy.
Admission to the Festival of India is free, but remember to RSVP.
The celebration continues with the Festival of Colours on Sunday.
“Back home it is called Holi Festival, which means throwing the colours in the sky, dancing and jumping with the music and singing, and when people throw the colours in the sky, which means they throw the worries into the wind and make your life joyful, colourful," Jani said.
As with Saturday, there will also be food vendors and family-friendly attractions.
Admission to the Festival of Colours is $15, which includes coloured powder for the celebration.
