The Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi 2013 Day of Empowerment – a festival filled with music, programs, exhibits, a parade, food, games and demonstrations – on Saturday, May 4 at the ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St.
The festival begins at 9 a.m. The public is welcome.
The parade is scheduled for 2-4 p.m.
Every spring millions of Sikhs worldwide celebrate Vaisakhi Day, marking the new year for the community. It is considered one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi is historically the festival of spring harvest in Punjab, India.
The festival will recognize individuals and organizations, including: Clair Chean, Refugee Transition Center, Kent School District; Diane Narasaki, executive director, Asian Counseling and Referral Service; and Jenny Durkan, U.S. attorney, Western District of Washington.
On display:
The Sikh Military Heritage Exhibit
• Pvt. Buckam Singh’s Victory Medal, the only known surviving World War I medal of a Sikh soldier in the Canadian military.
• Archival photographs, prints and drawings of Sikhs in the military including its contributions in World War I and World War II.
• Rare artifacts and military medals awarded to Sikh soldiers
The Sacred Words: An Exhibit of the Sikh Written Word
• The art of Sikh calligraphy and features images of rare Sikh manuscripts and artifacts.
The Sikh Community: Over a Hundred Years in the Pacific Northwest
• Artifacts and photographs starting with the early pioneers. Traces the history of the community in the Pacific Northwest.
Gurudwara Singh Sabha of WA, Renton sponsors the event.
For more information, call 206-486-0866 or email vaisakhi.wa@gmail.com, or visit tinyurl.com/vaisakhi2013
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