Community Corner
Diwali celebrated in first time in Six Flags had great Successes.
Diwali is a major cultural and religious festival observed every year in fall
Diwali or Dipavali, One of the most popular festivals of in India. But Indian who lives around the world celebrated most part of several places. Diwali actually symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness. That’s why they called “festival of lights”. Diwali has become a Big and popular festival throughout the world. Diwali is not only celebrated by Hindus, it’s also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
This year in 2018 several events and celebration happened in Chicagoland. But unique and historical celebration in Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois on Saturday, November 10, 2018.
Mona Bhalla said, “We are excited to celebrate Diwali in Six Flags. look it around hundreds of people from different Culture and background waiting for our celebration start. I am hosting live performances today.”
Mona Bhalla Productions hosted its first mega event at Six Flags Great America and instantly made history. South Asian Festival 2018 was an incredible success as thousands of people from all regions of South Asia and mainstream America poured in and celebrated as one. Not even the cold weather stopped the crowds from coming and enjoying the first ever South Asian Festival and celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali is one of the biggest holiday festivals in the world. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and also marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India.
Those who came enjoyed Rangoli decorations, Diwali Photo Booths, henna artists, shopping, delicious food, dancing, DJ music and all that Six Flags has to offer. Hundreds waited in line for the doors to open to witness the Diwali show in the Grand Music Hall at 3:00 PM that included belly dancing by Dimitra, ethnic dances, Bollywood dances, and Bhangra performed by groups from Culture in Motion and with Dance Diversity Group, and by Manpreet Bhalla, Simran Bhalla, and Kiran Bhalla. Between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM was a power-packed one hour performance by Mona Bhalla (aka "Kudi Bindaas"). The performance included many of her hits as she supercharged the audience with Bollywood & Pakistani songs that had an American twist to them, which had everyone in the music hall clapping and cheering.
After the performance in the Grand Music Hall, Mona Bhalla performed a few of her songs like several Punjabi and Pakistani Bhangra songs and also performed a Gujarati song on special request for her fans that were not able to find a seat for the indoor show. Certificates were presented to the groups that performed the cultural dances at the event. CEO of Six Flags Mr. Jim Reid-Anderson was present and watch all the activity.
Guests were very thankful for Mona Bhalla Productions for having a huge heated tent with chairs for those that didn't want to wander through the park or wanted to take a quick break to warm up, or just catch up with friends.
Food was provided by Porto's Peri Peri of Libertyville, IL and Six Flags culinary departments. DJ entertainment was provided by DJ Sanjay of Chicago and DJ Nisha and Neesha.
Mona Bhalla Productions put this event together at Six Flags to bring the communities together and bring the South Asian Culture to mainstream America and that it definitely did. The common theme from all the responses and feedback from those in attendance was "Congratulations for doing something different!" and "We can't wait until you do this again!"
