YUBA CITY, Calif. — It's that time of year again. The largest Sikh gathering outside of India is coming to Yuba City — and everyone is invited.
The cultural event draws anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 people. It's celebrated during the first weekend of November and is meant to capture the essence of what it means to be a Sikh in America.
“Our role at the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan is we fly stuff in from all over the country to show up and engage with the community,” said Puneet Sandhu, senior state policy manager at the Sikh Coalition. “We're there all three days, morning until evening, to distribute free resources related to our legal and advocacy work.”
The festival is known for its bazaar and a number of vendors offering food to hungry guests. Here's what to expect.
Friday's Fireworks Show
The big event kicks off with a night of fireworks and the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib, Kirtan Darbar. It'll start at 8 p.m. Friday at the Sikh Temple of Yuba City.
Saturday Events
The day starts at 9 a.m. with the raising of the Nishan Sahib Sikh flag followed by Kirtan. It'll be followed at 10 a.m. with an open house and tour of the gurdwara grounds. From 6 p.m. to midnight will be the Rain Sabaee Kirtan.
Sikh Festival Parade
The parade starts around 11 a.m. Sunday, following a route from the Sikh Temple on Tierra Buena Road, to Butte House Road, to Civic Center Boulevard, to Poole Boulevard, to Tharp Road and then back to the temple via Butte House Road.
Parking
Parking for the festival will be available off of Pease Road and River Valley High School. Any cars parked along the parade route or in the residents only areas could be towed.
Some no parking areas include:
- Hooper Avenue from True Road to North Colusa Frontage Road
- True Road from Hooper Avenue to Madison Road
- Pepperwood Avenue from True Road to Butte House Road
- Madison Road from True Road to Butte House Road
- Butte House Road from Madison Road to Tiera Buena Road
- Kira Courts
- Vi Courts
- Butte House Road from Elmer Road to the east side of Stabler Lane
- Poole Boulevard from Tharp Road to Civic Center Boulevard
- Tharp Road from Poole Boulevard to Butte House Road
- Back Gate to Del Prado Mobile Home Park on Queens Ave. - "The Ramp"
- State Route 20 between Harter Parkway and El Margarita Road.
Transportation from River Valley High School to the temple is available via bus. The route will start at 8 a.m. and run every 10 minutes.
