Sikh Day Parade in New York City this weekend

For Sikhs in tri-state area, the annual parade is a glorious celebration of their Sikh identity in the US

It’s a day when a sea of turbans adorns the Manhattan area reflecting the diverse identity of America and a big city like New York. It is also a tradition that most Sikhs in and around the New York metropolitan area as well as the tri-state area take great pride in.

Organized every year by the New York Sikh Council, in collaboration with Sikh sangats, gurdwaras and Sikh institutions, the parade is seen by the Sikh volunteers as an opportunity to reach out the masses and showcase the beauty of their faith.

Read: Inside the world’s largest India Day Parade in New York (August 19, 2019)

Activists and volunteers are making sure that the parade on April 29 at Madison Avenue will be a memorable affair, according to the president of the Sikh Cultural Society, Davinder Singh Boparai, “There is an anticipation of a record number of people to join this year.”

Khalsa Community Patrol, who is helping in the setting up of the event are making all efforts for the success of the 35th edition of the annual Sikh Day Parade.

To ensure maximum participation there will be free bus services plying to the parade site from the gurdwaras. A special bus for disabled participants has also been arranged.

For many Sikhs, the annual parade day is a glorious celebration of their Sikh identity in the US as it gives them a chance to reach out to the people across faiths and communities and highlight Sikh faith traditions.

Every year the parade features live music, dance, performances by kids along with marching bands and an impressive display of Sikh traditions along with the highlight of the event – beautifully decorated floats.

Apart from cultural showcase, finger-licking food from the Punjab region of India also awaits visitors and locals alike to sample.

Read: 38th Annual Sikh Festival and Parade to take place this weekend in Yuba City (November 1, 2017)

The Sikh Day Parade returned to the streets of New York in 2022 after a gap of two years due to the pandemic.

Especially after 9/11 the Sikh community faced racist backlash. The event is an attempt to bridge the gap, locals and other communities may have as regards to their understanding about the Sikh faith.

In order to assure a healthy participation and smooth operation a GoFundMe has also been initiated inviting both volunteers and contributions for the event.