The South Florida Chapter of the Association of Indians in America will present its annual “Festival of India” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, January 23, 2005 at the Omni Auditorium (BCC North Campus), 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd, Coconut Creek, FL.

The festival, which showcases the beauty, elegance and splendor of Indian culture and traditions, will be indoors for the first time.

“The Festival gives us an opportunity to strengthen the bond of understanding and mutual respect with the community at large,” says Lakshmi Subrahmanian, president of the South Florida Chapter of AIA. “In doing so, we fulfill our motto: ‘Indian Heritage and American Commitment’.”

This family-oriented event will feature:

• 
  
• Classical Indian dance and music


• Indian folk dances


• Yoga demonstrations


• Bridal pageant and fashion show (showcasing outfits from
  various Indian geographical regions, highlighting the
  country’s ethnic, exotic and rich cultural heritage).


• Henna hand-painting


• Puppet Show


• Astrologer


• Special “Children’s Tent” for youngsters, featuring activities just for them. Supervision will be provided by local high school volunteers.

Also featured will be an Indian Bazaar, with a variety of vendors exhibiting and selling Indian artifacts, arts, crafts, jewelry and apparel.
For the food lovers, local Indian Restaurants and caterers will offer mouth-watering selections of Indian cuisine. An outdoor food-court will provide ample seating.

Parking and admission to the Festival is free.

Funding for this event is provided in part by a grant from Broward Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. Admission and parking is free. Other sponsors include Broward Community College, The City of Coconut Creek, Audi and Citrix.

“The Festival will provide an authentic and first-hand experience of the beauty, elegance and splendor that exemplifies the cultural heritage and traditions of India,” Subrahmanian says. “This will be a wonderful all-day fun-filled, exotic and family-oriented, cultural event!”

For more information, contact Lakshmi Subrahmanian at (954) 755-7091 or Joyce Campos at (954) 752-7573

The Association of Indians in America is the oldest national association of Asian Indians in America. It was founded in August of 1967, and the South Florida Chapter was established in 1990. It remains a non-profit, secular and non-partisan organization. Visit the www.aiaflorida.org , or email aiaflorida@myacc.net to learn more.