The city of Chester is set to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, on Saturday 31 October. Organised by the Sanjhi Indian Association, the festivities will commence at 11:45am with a vibrant parade.
The parade will begin its route from Watergate Street, proceeding to Chester Town Hall Square before continuing to Eastgate Street. At 12:30pm, attendees can enjoy a display of traditional Indian dancing.
Councillor Alan Smith, the Sheriff of Chester, will officially open the celebrations. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "From traditional Indian dance to Bollywood performances, there will be dancing in the streets, and that's not just the performers. The parade starts on Watergate Street, making its way to Town Hall Square and then on to Eastgate Street. There is a fantastic programme of performances from dancers and musicians, along with opportunities for everyone to join in as the parade makes its way back to the Unity Centre."
“"From traditional Indian dance to Bollywood performances, there will be dancing in the streets, and that's not just the performers. The parade starts on Watergate Street, making its way to Town Hall Square and then on to Eastgate Street. There is a fantastic programme of performances from dancers and musicians, along with opportunities for everyone to join in as the parade makes its way back to the Unity Centre."
Following the parade and celebrations in Eastgate Street, the festival will move to the Chester Unity Centre on Cuppin Street. From 2:30pm to 4pm, the centre will host public workshops, offering activities such as henna hand painting, face painting, Diya making, Diwali art, and access to Indian food and craft stalls.
The programme includes performances by various groups, including children under 11 by Suchitra Sharma and Group/Gejje dance, a semi-classical dance by Sai Mayur dance school, and Bollywood medleys from the Sanjhi Ladies group, Bank of America Group, Lalita’s Namastey India Dance school from Northwich, and Manasa’s Gejje dance from Chester.
