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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 02, 2026 | The Indian Eye 18

AIA-NY to hold 39th annual Deepavali

festival on Long Island

OUR BUREAU
LONG ISLAND, NY

he Association of Indians in
America-New York (AIA-NY)
Twill host its 39th annual Deep-
avali Festival on Saturday, October 3,
at Overlook Beach in Babylon, Long
Island, bringing together families and
community members for a day of
Indian cultural performances, food,
shopping and entertainment.
The festival will run from 12:30
p.m. to 8 p.m., with free admission
and free parking. Families and com-
munity members from Long Island,
New York and the wider tri-state re-
gion are invited to attend.
Deepavali, also known as the
Festival of Lights, is celebrated
across India and around the world.
It is traditionally associated with the
triumph of light over darkness and AIA-NY team
good over evil and is marked through
family gatherings, religious obser-
vances, music, dance, food and cul- Food, shopping and family
tural traditions. activities
Visitors will be able to purchase
Cultural performances and Indian food and refreshments, in-
entertainment cluding samosas, masala chai, rotis,
The 2026 programme will fea- sweets and other traditional favour-
ture Indian classical, folk and Bolly- ites.
wood dance performances by local The Meena Bazaar and Diwali
students and performers. Bhangra, Bazaar will feature Indian clothing,
Giddha, Ghoomar, Garba and Dan- jewellery, gifts, handicrafts and other
diya will also be featured. merchandise.
Singer Arjun Coomaraswamy, The festival will also include
known as Arjun, from London, is community honorees, special guests
scheduled to perform in the evening. and elected officials.
The programme will also include a Rangoli, a traditional Indian art
Kathak and Ramayana presentation form featuring decorative designs
featuring Pandit S.N. Charka of the made with coloured materials, will be
East-West School of Dance. part of the family programme.
Children and families can par- Children and families will have Beena Kothari - President
ticipate in Rangoli and art activi- an opportunity to create their own
ties, along with other entertainment designs and participate in other art cluding Toyota, Pepsi, New York Life dents and trustees, volunteers, spon-
throughout the day. Health and well- projects. Insurance, Air India and CheapOair, sors, media partners and the 2025-26
ness activities will also be part of the among others. team for their contributions to the event.
programme. Continuing a Beena Kothari, president of
The celebration will open with a longstanding tradition AIA-NY, said the organisation aims Event information
Ganeshji invocation, traditionally as- AIA-NY has organised its Deep- to make the festival accessible to 39th Annual AIA-New York
sociated with auspicious beginnings. avali celebration for decades as a way people from different backgrounds. Deepavali Festival
It will conclude with a Lakshmi Aar- to bring Indian-American families “Deepavali is a celebration of • Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
ti, a prayer associated with prosper- and the broader community together light, unity, heritage and community. • Time: 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ity, peace, health and well-being. while showcasing Indian culture and We are proud to bring this tradition • Venue: Overlook Beach,
LED diyas will be used during the traditions. to Long Island and invite families Babylon, Long Island, New York
ceremonies. The organisation said the event and friends from across the region to • Admission: Free
A grand fireworks display is has received support over the years celebrate with us,” Kothari said.
scheduled for approximately 7:15 p.m. from corporations and brands in- AIA-NY thanked its past presi- • Parking: Free

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