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28th
Annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City Draws Record Crowd
WSN Network
 YUBA CITY, CA: The 28th Annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City saw an
estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Sikhs and non-Sikhs on Sunday enjoying
one of the Sacramento Valley’s largest religious and cultural
celebrations.
"God blessed us with a day that allowed us to reflect on and
remember the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib," said Didar Singh
Bains, President, Sikh Temple Yuba City and Parade founder and
chairman. The local community was mesmerised by the display of Sikh
core values in the symbolism that went into the preparation and
serving of more than 200,000 free meals.
"The tradition comes from one of the Sikh Guru’s who used money his
father had given him for buying goods and used it instead to buy
food and clothing for those in need," said Jaswant Singh Bains,
Director, Yuba City Sikh Temple Gurdwara.
After the bhog of the Akhand Path Sahib, the main float left the
Sikh gurdwara grounds.
 Flower petals rained down from a helicopter
hovering above the ceremony and parade. Thousands of Sikhs walked
alongside the floats. Along the parade route, Sikhs families had set
up food booths and provided free drinks, snacks and prepared food
for the throng of visitors.
While tens of thousands lined the parade the route, many more
thousands congregated at the gurdwara to socialize and enjoy the
free food. Inside the gurdwara grounds, attendees feasted on
traditional Sikh food and American traditions such as cotton candy
and popcorn.
Sikhs from throughout the United States, Canada, England and India
attended the celebration, while many non-Sikhs from throughout
Northern California attended to share in the day of devotion.
Although many younger Sikhs and their families have left Yuba City,
the weekend of devotion makes for a homecoming weekend for many.
"Sikhs first arrived in America more than 100 years ago to work on
the railroads outside Sacramento, and Yuba City became their first
home due to its rich agricultural land and likeness to their native
land, Punjab," said Kuldip Singh Atwal, Secretary, Yuba City Sikh
Temple.
The Nagar Kirtan weekend started Friday morning with the traditional
48 hours of prayer. Later
 that evening more than 25,000 people
gathered at the Sikh Temple to enjoy dinner and watch a spectacular
fireworks show. It was the largest turnout to date for a Friday
evening fireworks show at the Sikh Temple.
On Saturday, the Sikh Temple was bustling with activity again. An
Open House was attended by California Lt. Governor John Garamendi
who complimented and praised the Sikh community for their
outstanding contributions to the region. The Lt. Governor met with
leaders of the Sikh Temple and walked the Sikh Temple grounds.
Sikhs began arriving back at the Sikh Temple Monday morning at 4
a.m. to help clean up not only the Sikh Temple grounds but also
along the parade route. The clean up usually takes three days to
complete. Next year marks the 300th year anniversary of the Guru
Granth Sahib.
7 November, 2007
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