Aurora’s Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board will celebrate its sixth Diwali Festival from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Metea Valley High School.

Diwali is India’s largest annual festival. Celebrated by people throughout India, Nepal and other South Asian countries, the festival marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.

“We have had such a fantastic turnout that we’ve had to move to a new location in order to accommodate the increase in crowd size,” said Gautam Bhatia, chairman of the Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board.

Attended by more than 5,500 people annually, Aurora’s Diwali festival will feature the diversity of India’s music, dance, clothing and cuisine — while also highlighting the contributions of Indian Americans locally and nationally.

Visitors can purchase food, clothing and jewelry while Bollywood-style dance groups entertain the crowd throughout the evening.

High school graduates will receive the 2019 Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for their academic accomplishments and service to the community.

The celebration is free and open to the public.

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release