33rd annual Sikh Parade this Sunday in Yuba City, CA

"Mohinder Kaur Sendhar, left, Satnam Kaur Mann, middle, and Gurmit Kaur Dhillon prepare food Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 for the upcoming Sikh Parade at the Sikh Temple in Yuba City." (David Bitton/Appeal-Democrat)

Sikhs in Yuba City, California, will be holding their 33rd annual Sikh Parade this Sunday, which is often recognized as the largest Sikh nagar kirtan (religious procession) in the country:

In recent years, the international event has attracted 60,000 to 100,000 people to the parade route, along with hundreds from the Yuba-Sutter Sikh community who pitch in to serve food and drink to anyone and everyone.

The nagar kirtan usually commemorates and coincides with the celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak, who, born in 1469, was the founder of Sikhism. Sunday’s event will cap off a weekend of scheduled celebrations, which includes:

Friday
8 p.m. — Fireworks followed by worship service and kirtan.

Saturday

9 a.m. — Raising of Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag, followed by morning worship and kirtan.

2 p.m. — Open house, tour of gurdwara complex and grounds.

6 p.m. — midnight — Rain sabaee kirtan worship service.

Sunday

11 a.m. — Parade. A float bearing Guru Granth Sahib is followed by a procession of floats and devotees winding through the streets of Yuba City along a 4.5-mile loop.

Events are open to the public, everyone is welcome to attend. Langar, an estimated 300,000 free meals, served throughout the weekend.