The 2009 Yuba City Sikh Parade celebrates another milestone this year. This marks the 30th anniversary of a parade that started with humble beginnings – one float and an estimated 5,000 Sikhs marching through Yuba City in 1970. In three decades the parade has grown from a local community event to an International one. Each year Sikhs travel to Yuba City from all over the world to partake in one of the largest devotional celebrations in the Western Hemisphere. This year, weather permitting, more than 75,000 people are expected to participate in the 30th Annual celebration.
Friday morning, October 30th, will begin the traditional start of 48 hours of continuous readings of the Guru Granth Sahib. Friday evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display sure to be attending by thousands in the community. It’s the Sikh way of saying thank you to the community.
On Saturday, October 31st,You’re cordially invited to an Open House & Reception to celebrate the 30th Annual Nagar Kirtan weekend. Join us for a short presentation to recognize elected officials and dignitaries along with an educational video, Cultural Safari. Cultural Safari, which will be shown at 12:30 PM, is a 17-minute video aimed at educating America's schoolchildren, teachers and school administrators about what it means to be a Sikh American.
Dr. I.J. Singh, N.Y.U professor and a writer of several books on Sikhism from a western perspective and a scholar of Sikhism will be our keynote speaker. Dr. Singh has authored a collection of essays, Sikhs and Sikhism: A View with a Bias, The Sikh Way: A Pilgrim’s Progress, and his newest collection, Being and Becoming a Sikh. Dr. I.J. Singh is scheduled to speak at 12:55 PM on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, the community will be treated to the 30th Annual Sikh Parade. Upon the ending of the 48 hours of prayer, the Guru Granth Sahib will be carried onto a lavishly decorated float and make its way through the streets of Yuba City, with thousands following the procession.
Nearly 50 floats are expected to participate in the 4 1/2 mile long parade through the streets of Yuba City. They will be ornately decorated in themes that reflect the vibrant nature of the Sikh Culture, Sikhism and of the Sikh way of life.
In the Sikh tradition of sharing taught by the Guru’s, more than 250,000 meals will be prepared and distributed to attendees at absolutely no charge.
This year, due to the rough economic conditions facing this nation, the Sikh Temple Gurdwara Yuba City will also be collecting canned food and non-perishable food items for the areas food banks. Everyone is encouraged to clean their pantry and bring the items to the Sikh Temple Gurdwara, 2468 Tierra Buena Road, Yuba City.