Navy Pier in Chicago Celebrates Holi Festival Hosted by Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

CHICAGO, IL- On March 4th, 2023, Navy Pier in Chicago was filled with vibrant colors and festive energy as thousands of guests gathered to celebrate the Holi festival. The Holi Celebration at Navy Pier, a part of Global Connections series presented by ComEd, is a must-do event at the beginning of the Spring season and has become a local favorite. The free event is supported in part by the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities, Zee5 Global, and Sue Ling Gin Charitable Trust.

The Aon Grand Ballroom was buzzing with interactive programming to entertain guests, including foot-tapping music and dance performances. The event lineup featured various performers, including Chitrahar Cultural Academy, Surabhi Ensemble, and more. The event started with DJ Dave Patel, followed by Bollywood Groove, which got the crowd excited.

As the festivities continued into the afternoon, Navy Pier’s Beer Garden was the perfect spot for guests to throw colored powder and dance to the music of DJs Krush and Jeet. The event had something for everyone and was a fun-filled amalgamation of culture and celebration.

The Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities, led by Smita Shah, CEO of SPAAN Tech, Inc., hosted the event in partnership with Navy Pier. The event was part of the annual Global Connections series at Navy Pier presented by ComEd and sponsored by ZEE5 Global and Sue Ling Gin Charitable Trust. The free public event included live performances from music and dance groups, food, beverages, interactive educational programming, and more.

“The Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities is committed to fostering a relationship between our two great cities, and I am thrilled to have helped organize this event to commemorate Holi, a holiday that marks new life and energy,” said Smita Shah, Director on the Navy Pier Board of Directors, Chairman of the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, ComEd Board Member, and CEO of SPAAN Tech, Inc. Consul General of India Somnath Ghosh, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and ComEd Vice President of Support Services Neena Hemmady also delivered remarks at the event.

Delhi’s position as a sister city to Chicago demonstrates the strong relationship between India and the city as well as the cultural importance of the established Indian-American community to the Chicagoland community. Under Shah’s leadership, the Delhi Committee of Chicago founded the Annual Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi Luncheon in 2014, honoring the long-standing exchange of ideas between Mahatma Gandhi and the U.S., and the ever-important principles of truth and non-violence. Shah also helped secure the designation of October 2nd as Mahatma Gandhi Day in Chicago. The celebration of Holi at Navy Pier highlighted the cultural richness of India and the city’s commitment to fostering understanding and appreciation of different cultures.