Sandgate Welcomes �sikh Cultural Festival

Sandgate is hosting an annual festival celebrating Sikh culture, with traditional dancing, food, activities, and music on display.

The Sikh community of north Brisbane will gather at Curlew Park this month for the Vaisakhi Festival, a free event where all are welcome to attend.

Punjabi Cultural Association of Queensland secretary Parminder Singh said the location of the event in Sandgate made it easily accessible to all members of the community.

Many Punjabi communities around the world will celebrate Vaisakhi, and it is an important link for the Sikh community to celebrate this festival within the local community,� Parminder said.

There are more than 15,000 Sikhs living in greater Brisbane.�

Parminder said Vaisakhi was important for the Sikh community as it marked the establishment of the Panth Khalsa, the Order of Pure Ones by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.

Vaisakhi is also celebrated as a harvest festival and start of the new year by Punjabis,� Parminder said. It is traditional for communities to gather at this time of the year and hold fairs to celebrate Vaisakhi.�

Parminder said the event was a alcohol-free family event with something for all age groups, including sport, cultural activities, rides, and children's activities.

As with all Punjabi celebrations, there will be plenty of food on offer. And being the harvest festival, local residents will have the opportunity to try many dishes.�

Festival-goers can enjoy traditional Indian dishes including samosas, naan with vegetables and chickpeas, butter chicken and rogan josh, and Punjabi dishes like chole bhature and tandoori chicken.

Sports such as gatka (Indian martial arts), volleyball, and soccer kick off from 9am, with the final match of popular contact sport kabbadi taking place at 4:30pm. In the afternoon, Bhangra dance and live Punjabi music will have everyone on their feet.

At this year's festival, the Punjabi Cultural Association of Queensland and the Department of Home Affairs will also hold a citizenship ceremony between 9am and 11am. Councillor Jared Cassidy and Councillor Sandy Landers will be the presiding officers as 50 people are welcomed as Australian citizens.

A fireworks display will light up the night sky from 6pm, bringing the festival to a joyous conclusion.

Vaisakhi Mela
Sunday, 11 April, 9am-6pm
Curlew Park
74 Curlew Street, Sandgate.