Event drew thousands to downtown’s Elmwood Park
by Shawn Nowlin
After a one-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Annual Roanoke Valley India Festival returned on August 21. Presented by the India Heritage Society, the event was held at Elmwood Park from 4 to 8 p.m. The festival, now in its 14th year, featured a variety of vendors, food and live performances from dancers of all ages. All 29 states of India were represented.
Approximately 4,000 people, according to festival organizer Sunny Shah, attended the free event. Vendors and participants were encouraged to wear a facemask.
Among those present were Roanoke County native James Beal. “One thing that COVID-19 taught me is there is so much more to life than just our surroundings. I think it’s important to educate ourselves whenever opportunities like this are presented,” he said.
When the first India Festival took place in 2004, local resident Ashley Clark, 29, says she remembers going and taking pictures with her parents.
“I can recall everything like it was yesterday. My mom and dad gave me the option of attending the festival or going to the theatre to a see movie,” Clark said. “Because the annual event was only happening that day, I decided to go to the festival. We ended up having a great time and learning a lot about India.”
Chris Edwards, of Salem, thought the best dish he tasted was aloo gobi – i.e. cauliflower and crisp golden potatoes. His opinion changed at the festival when he tried butter-brushed naan, a popular India baked flatbread.
“I wanted to try every dish available to expose my taste buds to something new. Everything that I tried was top notch,” he said.
Carilion President and CEO Nancy Agee served as the guest of honor and was recognized for her leadership during the height of the pandemic.
“Carilion Clinic has led our region’s health care throughout the pandemic, from caring for COVID-19 patients to organizing vaccination clinics for the public,” Shah said. “We are proud to have some of the best medical care in the country right here in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and we appreciate Mrs. Agee’s leadership of this exceptional health care organization.”
August 15 marked the 74th anniversary of India’s independence from British rule. In an official statement, President Joe Biden said, “On this day, India achieved its long journey toward independence, guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s message of truth and non-violence. Today, that foundational commitment to respecting the will of the people through democracy continues to inspire the world and is the basis of the special bond between our two nations. Over the decades, the ties between our people, including a vibrant community of more than four million Indian Americans, have sustained and strengthened our partnership.”
Edwards had such a great time that the next year he says he will invite his family from out of town to attend the event. “Learning about the India culture has been fascinating and I plan on continuing to educate myself,” he said.
