YUBA CITY, Calif. — Around the first weekend of November, Yuba City is brimming with guests at their annual Sikh festival, Nagar Kirtan.
In what's touted as the largest celebration of Sikhs in the United States, more than 100,000 members of the Sikh community flood into Yuba City for the celebration every year for the fireworks, bazaar, and parade.
"Because of the number of Sikhs and because of the high attendance of Sikhs who will be there, it's actually pretty beautiful to see how one community can really come together to celebrate," said Inderpreet Kaur, a spokesperson for the Sikh Coalition.
According to Kaur, the Yuba City Sikh Festival is one of the bigger and more festive celebrations of Nagar Kirtan that people can find. She credited a large part of that to the people of Yuba City who started the event and helped it grow to what it is now.
What is Nagar Kirtan?
Nagar Kirtan is an annual celebration during the first weekend of November that captures the essence of what it means to be a Sikh in America.
"What's so special about this is I know that Nagar Kirtans take place in Sikh communities in pockets all over the country, but this specific one is pretty spectacular because it's a rare opportunity to capture the essence of what it means to be a Sikh in America," said Kaur.
This celebration also marks the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
What will be there?
There are at least three featured attractions for people stopping by the Yuba City Sikh Festival: the fireworks show, the bazaar, and the parade.
Whether you're searching for blankets, textiles, jewels, shoes, or anything else, the bazaar will be a mainstay of the celebration every day.
"Anything you think you may need you will find there, and in addition there's food literally everywhere," Kaur added.
To see the fireworks shows, you'll have to be at the celebration on Nov. 1. The sparks fly around 9 p.m. for the half-hour show.
However, the big show happens on Nov. 3 with the Sikh Parade, which is set to start around 11 a.m. and continues into the afternoon.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge to get in and there is no charge to park.
However, this event attracts a lot of people and it can be difficult to find parking at later times of the day.
Kaur recommends people stop by around 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. if they want to have an easier time parking.
Where and when is it?
The festival takes place Nov. 1 through Nov. 3.
Friday
- 6 p.m. - the bazaar is open for shopping
9 p.m. - fireworks show begins
Saturday
- 10 a.m. the bazaar is open for shopping
Sunday
- 10 a.m. - the bazaar is open for shopping
- 11 a.m. - the Sikh Parade begins