Things are about to get very colorful around here.
Back for its ninth year, Holi — The Festival of Colors takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 7 at the Riverwalk’s Grand Pavilion in downtown Naperville. The free event is open to the public.
“It’s a very friendly and very happy environment,” said organizer Sarita Sharma. “People are really in a joyful mood. We don’t feel like strangers to each other.”
At Holi — which means “festival of colors” in Hindi — it’s perfectly acceptable, make that encouraged, to toss colored powder at people you know as well as those you don’t, all in the name of welcoming spring.
“We want to create an environment of friendship, harmony and happiness by gathering people together,” Sharma said.
No need to assume that Holi is a celebration only for those with Indian heritage.
“It’s not limited to any community — it’s for everyone,” Sharma said. “I personally do not want to call it a Hindu festival or by any religion. It’s a Vedic festival, meaning ancient.”
More than 4,000 revelers of all backgrounds participated last year, while organizers predict more than 5,000 this year, depending on the weather.
“For the first-timer, it’s a very unique experience,” Sharma said. “You have to come with an open mind. Watch what others are doing, and if you feel comfortable, then follow the directions and get into it.”
The festival will feature live music by the band Timing’s Everything as well as traditional dancing and drumming.
“The cultural performances aren’t formal,” Sharma said. “They’re meant to engage people.”
Although the color-flinging is ongoing, a countdown to a group color-throwing occurs on the hour at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
You can select from six colored powders (called gulal) to play with: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Participants can buy bags of the organic, safe, starch-based colors for $2 per bag at the festival. For safety reasons, no outside colors are permitted.
You will get messy, really messy, so be sure to wear old clothes and leave any valuable accessories at home (watches, sunglasses, jewelry). A sealable plastic bag is a simple way to safeguard your phone and money.
Just a tip: To get colors off easily after the festival, organizers suggest using a bit of a separation barrier between the colors and your skin and hair — like sunscreen or hair oil — before the event.
Holi is a non-alcohol event, with no outside food or beverages allowed. Vegetarian platters and snacks will be available for $5, including rice pilaf and channa masala, two deep-fried poori and channa masala with pickles, a bread and cheese pakora (fritter) plate, and a gulab jamun plate (similar to doughnuts in syrup).
To save time and gain access to quicker lines, you can prepay for colors and food at www.thefestivalofcolors.org, but don’t forget to bring your receipts.
There also will be a variety of vendor booths, featuring clothing, jewelry and wellness checks. Free street and garage parking are available nearby in downtown Naperville.
Holi is the largest fundraiser of the year for the event’s host, the Simply Vedic Cultural Society. Formed in 2008, Simply Vedic is a nonprofit, nondenominational cultural organization in Naperville that promotes simple living and higher thinking and supports senior and youth programs.
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Holi — The Festival of Colors
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 7
Where: Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, downtown Naperville
Tickets: Free admission, colors are $2 per bag
Information: www.thefestivalofcolors.org
