Festival of Chariots brings cultural blessings
Red Deer’s second annual Rath Yatra: Festival of Chariots, a Hindu celebration, returns to the Canada 150 Square on August 3 for a day of family-friendly activities.
Organized by the non-profit International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), from 1-4 p.m., the free event will feature a parade, live music and stage shows, singing and dancing, a bouncy castle, henna and face painting, a small market, and a vegetarian feast.
“It’s more about coming together in peace and harmony and enjoying this event,” says Shiven Pillay, an administrator and event organizer for ISKCON. “Basically, it’s a day to bring more people together, give more exposure to the city, and bring more culture into the society.”
The event will be opened at 12:30 p.m. with coconut aarti, a prayer and blessing for the event’s success. The chariot parade will then get rolling and circle through the square’s trails; there are no road closures expected for the parade.