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Holi” which in the Hindi language means “the Festival of Colors”, was celebrated March 16th at Excelsior High School Stadium.

People came to enjoy the ceremony this Saturday as it took place between Alonda and Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk. Holi is a festival that marks the arrival of spring and the passing of winter and is celebrated by Hindus around the world, especially in the north of India. It’s distinguished largely in Indian culture by a relative relaxing strata, where people of different casts, ages, genders and classes can all celebrate together.

 “I found the event online. It seemed interesting, so I came here to have fun,” said Long Beach resident Sophie Martin.

                Every two hours, participants threw brightly colored powder on each other and soon they were covered with colors of violet, green, yellow, pin and orange. Live music was provided around the clock from great bands, and there were also exhibitions of yoga, mantras and dance. There were several musicians, and Larisa Stowand Shakti Tribe, an American pop-rock band from Long Beach, performed the opening act.

                Larisa Stow, a former Cal State Long Beach students, was excited to performance her music on the main stage. “I really loved the event. I like to see energetic people and their connection,” Stow said. The whole band was overwhelmed with the love, peace and juicy vibes of the event.

                As Holi is known for being a celebration of happiness, music and laughter, everybody met strangers with a hug, asked to color them and enjoyed the music at the event. 

People threw the colored powder on each other
Photo by Chie Uraki