THE 3rd Diwali Festival, a festival of lights of the Indian community in Bacolod City, will kick off today, November 21 at the public plaza, and will continue until tomorrow at the SMX Convention Center.
"Diwali" is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year, festival organizer Haresh Nandwani said.
The festival is organized by Nandwani, Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, Punjabi Khalsa Diwali Bacolod City, Inc. and Kasadya Bacolod Development Foundation, Inc.
There will be a grand parade from the old City Hall in Araneta Street towards and around the public plaza starting 6 p.m.
The three winners in the recent Electric MassKara float parade competition will be joining the parade. Young Indian performers from Manila will also perform cultural dances at the plaza.
There will be seven couples coming from tourism schools in Bacolod who will be featured in a Santacruzan type of parade and will enact romantic songs like Romeo and Juliet.
Nandwani said a school will perform a Diwali dance with candles at the opening number using Filipino clothes.
The opening of the Diwali Festival will start at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the plaza. It will feature cultural and musical show like Bollywood and Bhangra showdown, and Indian disco.
There will be a fireworks display by 11 p.m., and partying from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tomorrow, Sunday, there will be a parade around SM City mall at 5 pm; Diwali Mela (Fiesta) will be held at SM City atrium at 5:45 p.m., and Grand Diwali Ball at the SMX Convention Center at 7:30 p.m.