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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 29, 2025 | The Indian Eye 34

Desi Junction Summerfest 2025: Igniting Cultural

Flames under Chicago’s Summer Skies

OUR BUREAU and community supporter; and Amit
Chakraborty, who recently danced
Chicago, IL
with Hrithik Roshan – evaluated on
n the lush expanse of Busse technique, choreography, and energy.
Woods Grove 18 in Elk Grove “All kids are winners,” emphasized
IVillage, the air thrummed with the the emcee, as medals and certificates
rhythmic beats of dhol and the joyous were handed out, fostering encour-
echoes of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” as agement over competition.
Desi Junction Summerfest 2025 un- Desi Games Rounds, interspersed
folded like a grand tapestry of Indian throughout the day, injected playful
heritage woven into the American chaos. From tug-of-war and lemon
landscape. On Saturday, August 9, spoon relays for couples to scavenger
2025, from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM, this hunts yielding prizes like free tickets
free-for-all extravaganza transformed to Falguni Pathak, Badshah, and Kan-
a simple picnic grove into a pulsat- war Grewal concerts, the games were
ing hub of culture, community, and innovative crowd-pullers.
unbridled fun. With over a thousand Community spirit was palpa-
attendees – families, seniors, kids, and ble, with shouts of “Jai Hind” and
volunteers – converging under the “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” during patriot-
sun-dappled trees, the event wasn’t ic segments.
just a festival; it was a living bridge In a nod to innovation, the fes-
connecting generations, regions, and tival integrated real-time games with
traditions from Mumbai to Kolkata, cultural education, like Kathak’s
Delhi to Hyderabad, and even echoes rhythmic compositions teaching teen
from Europe and India itself. taal. Attendees left with full hearts,
Desi Junction, Chicagoland’s pre- free gifts, and memories of unity.
mier South Asian community organi- Desi Junction Summerfest 2025
zation, successfully hosted Summer- wasn’t just an event; it was a creative
fest 2025 on Saturday, August 9, 2025, revolution, proving that in America’s
at Busse Woods Grove 18, bringing melting pot, desi flavors shine bright-
together thousands of families for a traveled all the way from India – were from Payel’s Vocal Studio delivering est when shared freely.
full day of cultural celebration, enter- invited to the stage. a stirring medley of songs like “Vatan “Summerfest 2025 wasn’t just an
tainment, food, and community spirit. Innovation shone through in the Vatan Mere Aabad Rahe Tu” and event — it was a celebration of unity,
The opening ceremony at 10:30 performances, kicking off with a clas- “Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge.” culture, and community spirit,” said
AM was a heartfelt spectacle, em- sical group opening act by Gandharv The Dance Dhamaka segment, Jassie Parmar, Founder of Desi Junc-
bodying Desi Junction’s ethos of Mahavidyalaya North America. Ri- introduced, turned the grove into a tion. “We are so proud of our vol-
equality and volunteerism. “There’s cha Kulkarni and her daughter Preeti Bollywood battleground. Kids aged unteers, partners, and families who
no leader here; all are volunteers,” Asmi Kulkarni graced the stage with 6-12 dazzled in solo performances. came together to make this the big-
announced the emcee, as seniors, Kathak, accompanied by live Hindu- Seven-year-old Sheryl Goyal enchant- gest and most successful Summerfest
grandparents, and even a special dig- stani classical music on harmonium, ing with “Shrotam” at 11:05 AM. yet.” added Safalya Pani & Bhairavi
nitary – Chaudhary Singh Sahab, an and tabla. Judges – Devi Shankar, a passionate K Thakkar.
ex-minister from Uttar Pradesh who Patriotism pulsed next with kids dancer; Gurumukh Ji, a theater artist -- Asian Media USA

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