Paint Each Other During Holi Hai

What: Holi Hai (pronounced Holy Hey) Celebration
When: Saturday, March 21, 11 – 4 pm
Where: Family Pavilion, Pinckneyville Park, Norcross
Cost: FREE

Holi is known as the Indian Festival of Color and celebrates the arrival of spring. The event is held all across India where playing Holi, or sharing colors, is a highlight of the festival. “Sharing colors” is a polite way to say you smear your friend, family, neighbor and perfect stranger with paint. Take a moment and imagine your children in this scenario. If you’re smiling, read on. If you’re horrified, you might want to quit now.

Last week, I watched my children participate in a Holi Hai festival at their school. It was a blast! Representatives from SEWA International assisted one of the teachers in putting the festival together. The kids received cups of powdered paint and were let loose in the parking lot to smear away. At first they were a little timid getting the teachers or other adults, but that faded quickly and everyone was covered head to toe in color. I threw away the boys shirts afterwards rather than attempting to wash them but the shorts came clean easily. The boys themselves washed off mostly, completely after a few good scrubs.

It was all worth it though as we learned a bit about a different culture half a world away and had a great time doing it. SEWA International, the same group that assisted with the celebration at my children’s school, is hosting a public event in Norcross on Saturday. To see photos and information on last years event, click here. To see photos of the celebration in India, click here. If you’d like additional information about Saturday’s event, contact Surya at 404-374-7002, Guru at 678-230-5859 or Rakesh at 404-784-3549.

If you go, send me pictures. Holi Hai!