THUNDER BAY – The show must go on.
Despite pandemic restrictions that will still be in place over the Labour Day weekend, the Festival of India and the Festival of Colours will still take place in 2020.
But like a few other events that have managed to persevere through COVID-19, the back-to-back events will take on a new look this year.
Both will be drive-through affairs.
Prashant Jani, organizer of the two increasingly popular events, said when the pandemic struck, he wasn’t sure they’d be able to be held this year, but after seeing other events work around the restrictions with success, organizers quickly went back to the drawing board to come up with a new, if only temporary, way of doing things.
Those who want to take part in either festival will be ushered onto the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds via May Street, then directed to specific, socially distanced, parking spots where they will be able to take in the entertainment.
“We can accommodate about 300 cars,” Jani said. “People can watch the shows on the stage. We will have an FM transmitter, so all the sound will be transmitted to their car radio station, if they tune in. Or there will be big speakers delivering the sound from the stage.”
Long lines to sample the taste of India will also be a thing of the past, at least for this year.
“Food will be delivered to everybody in individual package containers, because of the health standards. Usually we have long lineups at the festival,” Jani said.
Most of the food, including curry, rice and nan bread, will be free, but festival-goers can also order ahead of they’re looking for specialty foods, like samosa, which will be for sale like always.
“They can order online and we will keep those packets ready for them and we’ll deliver them to their cars.”
It will be a similar set-up the following day at the Festival of Colours, which last year attracted more than 4,000 attendees.
Colour packets will be delivered to each vehicle, with colour throws scheduled for once an hour.
“We really encourage people to register online,” Jani said. “Of course they can come here and be part of the event at the last moment, but if they register online or on our Facebook pages ... then we will be able to co-ordinate in an easier way.”
The Festival of India won’t have the traditional caravan parade, but organizers are planning to have a 15-vehicle parade down May Street to kick off the event, starting at Superstore.
The Festival of Indian takes place on Sept. 5, while the Festival of Colours is scheduled for Sept. 6, both days from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
