With some Diwali events organised in different parts of the country, Northland Indian Association Inc. successfully brought in a number of non-Indian communities along with the extended Indian communities for a day of music, entertainment and amazing delicacies.
The celebration started at 11 a.m. at Forum North in Whangarei where more than 500 members from the adjoining suburbs in the Northland came with their families to celebrate the festival of lights.
The celebration was not just limited to Indian families – Kiwi, African and even Chinese families dropped in at the venue clad in colourful ethnic outfits to have a day of great family outing.
Northland Indian Association has hosted several events as such inviting people from all communities to celebrate Indian festivals, sharing Indian delicacies and enjoying Indian music.
The entertainment quotient of the event was extraordinary as school children, young professionals and even senior citizens gave a stellar performance on the stage.
Whangarei Gurudwara volunteered to provide free food for the visitors at the event and served lip-smacking delicacies for the communities. The hosts also staged a photo booth for the visitors with props so that the families do not miss a good family portrait together.
“We are delighted with the response from the people, especially non-Indians who were equally excited for the Diwali event. Some even tagged in their neighbours to the event,” a spokesperson from NIA told The Indian Weekender.
Besides entertainment, activities like face painting, henna and art and craft were arranged for the kids to engage and play. The event ended with smiling faces leaving the venue around 4 p.m.