Festival of lights flies in Geraldton

Fireworks on Sunday night signalled the close of the Midwest Multicultural Association’s Festival of Lights.

As part of the Hindu and Sikh Diwali celebrations, more than 3000 people hit the foreshore for music, dance, world cuisines, and kite-flying.

“It was wonderful to see so many people come along to enjoy this cultural festival,” MWMA president Tom Mwangi said.

More than 130 students from Beachlands, Bluff Point and Rangeway primary schools were guided in creating box kites for the festival.

Local artists Rashaan Briggs and Beau Simpson came together to create a sand painting, following the festival’s theme — You, Me, Us!

A Fijian dance troupe also performed a traditional song and dance routine about their homeland, while the Bollywood, bellydance, Zumba and other groups showed off what they had learned.

People of all ages learned some Indian moves on the grassed area in a group dance.

There was a petting zoo with farm animals and some scaly and slithery visitors from the Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park in the form of snakes for people to hold.

Face painting, local food vans, coffee and ice cream were also available as families relaxed on the grass.

Preparations are already under way for the next events, with the group recently awarded a $20,000 Lotterywest grant.

On November 25, the MWMA will take over the QEII centre for its Tastes of the World cooking demonstration.