Canton Township will light up during a special celebration next week.
The Canton Diwali Festival of Lights Community Celebration will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 at the Heritage Park Amphitheater, located behind the Canton Administration Building. The special event is planned in the festive tradition of India that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Canton Leisure Services is partnering with several community groups to host the event, which is an Indian cultural celebration of lights that symbolizes the “victory of light over darkness.” This event, primarily sponsored by miindia.com, is free and open to all community members to learn and celebrate together.
Program activities will include Indian cultural performances, music, and dancing, as well as a children's activity. Indian snacks from Authentikka and Henna will also be available for purchase on-site.
“We are excited to host this special celebration as a tribute to the diversity and multicultural fabric of the Canton community,” said Laura Mortier, recreation supervisor. “By presenting this type of event, we hope to foster a deeper understanding and awareness of this 10,000-year-old Indian tradition, which for many who attend may be their first opportunity to experience the Indian culture.” Diwali is perhaps the most well-known Indian festival.
The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps' and is known as the festival of lights because houses, shops, and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas.
There is no admission fee to attend this outdoor event and parking is also free. Canton's Diwali Festival of Lights Community Celebration is a weather-dependent event and will be cancelled in the event of rain or inclement weather. For more information about this Canton community celebration, visit www.cantonfun.org or call (734) 394-5460.
