Presidents Park is set to explode with colour this Saturday when the second annual Wyndham Holi Festival comes to town.
About 8000 people are expected to attend the free event, which starts at 11am with a traditional chariot-pulling ceremony called ratha-yatra and a makeshift temple with Hindu idols, chanting and worship.
The festival will also include throwing coloured powder and a colour fun run, carnival rides, live performances, dancing, food, market stalls an Easter egg hunt and fireworks.
There will be a non-colour zone for those who don’t want to take part in the colour-throwing.
Wyndham Holi president Vinayakk Kolaape said this weekend’s event would celebrate traditional aspects of Holi festivals but would also celebrate Wyndham’s multicultural roots.
WYNDHAM VALE HOLI FESTIVAL ORGANISERS KAPIL KATPELLY, VINAYAKK KOLAAPE, NEHA KOLAPE AND ANAND CHUKKA ARE READY FOR THE EVENT ON SATURDAY. PICTURE: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
“We’re trying to promote local talent,” he said. “We not only have Indian classical dance schools, but local bands, a Chinese group doing a lion dance and an African troupe.
“It’s a very ethnic kind of event where everybody can participate.”
The traditional Hindu celebration of Holi signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere.
It is also hoped to raise $5000 for Mercy Health through tin rattling on the day.
Details: www.vcaa.org.au
