CUPERTINO, CA: “Diwali is the imperative Indian Festival. It is a festival of joy, color and beautiful beginning”, says Mahesh Nihalani, Organizer of this gala event. The 11th annual Diwali festival was held at Cupertino’s Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Blvd., 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, Oct 12. This free event brought approximately 10,000 people to the beautiful Memorial Park in Cupertino and was a showcase of multicultural music, dance, fun kids zone, workshops, arts and crafts, fun, frolic and food.
The event was hosted by Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and its Asian American Business Council. Their mission was to “promote, strengthen and enhance the inter-ethnic business environment in the Cupertino Chamber”. The organizers say “the Diwali Festival has proven to be an excellent way to bridge our business community with the residents of Cupertino.”
“The annual Indian event, which is practiced as a mega event, marks the beginning of the new business year. It is a time to celebrate and practice traditions which include buying new clothes, exchanging gifts, get-togethers with family and friends, offering traditional sweets and wishes for a prosperous New Year, according to event organizers”, says Mahesh.
When it was started way back in 2002, it had few stalls and a crowd of mere 250. And now after 11 years it is one of the imperative Bay Area events. There were about 80 booths including the food and kids play zone, say the board members. The festival itself has grown bigger and the organizers hope it will grow manifold in years to come.
The event had kids dance performance with everything from the classical “Kathak” and “Bharatanatyam” to Bollywood to the folk “Koli”. There were about 45 performances which started at about 10:30 am and continued till 4:30 pm.
The booths had vendors from all facets. They showcased ethnic Indian art, clothing, jewelry, toys and children’s books.
Yoga centers, insurance agents, realtors, non -profits, grocery stores had set up their stalls and catered to the community.
Some of the events at this year’s Diwali festival was a larger Kids Zone with magic show, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, wood workshop, jump house, and a coloring contest.
Guests of honor were from Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, Mayors of City of Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont and Council members from all cities.
Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
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