Garba Fest, Bollywood-style, takes over Bowmanville park
Published September 30, 2024 at 12:14 pm
A Bollywood-style Garba Fest in Bowmanville?
About 1,200 people thought that was a smashing idea and turned up at the Garnet Rickard Ball Park last week for an evening filled with music, dance, and a vibrant cultural celebration hosted by Unity in Diversity.
Though the night had its challenges – technical difficulties caused a 30-minute delay and adjustments had to be made to the sound setup – none of this dampened the spirit of the festival and by the second half the DJ brought the crowd to life, transforming the night into a “whirlwind of joyful energy,” noted Unity in Diversity’s Pankaj Panchal.
“People of all ages danced under the open sky, making the event a memorable one for everyone who attended.”
Beyond the fun and festivities, Garba Fest 2024 served a greater cause, raising $1,701 for the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation’s #WeCareWeCan Awareness initiative.
“It was heartwarming to see the community come together for such a great cause,” said Panchal, who chairs the WeCareWeCan campaign. “This event is about more than just music and dance – it’s about making a real difference.”
Three community contributors were also honoured during the event, including Kirk Kemp of the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, which is tasked with raising $110 million for the hospital re-development. “I am delighted to see so many people come together for the celebration of this event, and we are happy to see that it will benefit the hospital in downtown Bowmanville.”
Shashi Bhatia, founding Chair of the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham, was also honoured for being a champion of cultural and social initiatives. “It was a beautiful experience celebrating Garba! Colorful, soulful, and full of ‘Bhakti’ – devotion, faith, and pure love,” she said. “I am grateful for the recognition and thrilled to see our community unite in such a meaningful way.”
The Clarington Chess Club was also recognized for their initiative to establish a chess community in the region. “This acknowledgment encourages us to continue growing our reach and fostering the love of chess in Clarington.”
