The 10th edition of India Fest Townsville, held on 24 August 2024, transformed Riverway into a vibrant hub of colour, music, and community spirit. Drawing an impressive 25,000 attendees, the festival showcased the richness of Indian culture, creating a lively atmosphere that captivated the crowd.
Riverway Circuit came alive with traditional food stalls, mesmerising Bollywood and folk dance performances, and a stunning fireworks display that lit up the evening sky. One of the standout features of the event was a replica of the Taj Mahal, which became a popular photo spot for visitors, offering a taste of India’s cultural grandeur.
Townsville’s Mayor, Cr. Troy Thompson, attended the festival as the Chief Guest and shared warm memories of his youth, recalling legendary Indian cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. He praised the efforts of the India Fest Team for organising such a successful event and expressed his enjoyment of every aspect of the celebration. The Mayor also took a moment to commend the children who performed the opening prayers and national anthem, noting their beautiful costumes and impressive performances.
Aaron Harper, Member for Thuringowa, representing the Premier of Queensland and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, spoke about the festival’s importance in promoting cultural diversity and unity. Harper shared his appreciation for Indian cuisine, especially the offerings from local favourite Masala, and highlighted the festival’s role in bringing communities together, with support from Multicultural Queensland playing a crucial role in making this possible.
Rajesh Gupta, Head of Finance at Bravus Mining and Resources, expressed pride in his company’s ongoing sponsorship of the festival. Gupta reflected on the last decade of India Fest’s success, praising the team for their dedication and noting how Bravus has supported the event over the years. He emphasised the significance of the festival to both the Indian community and the broader Townsville region.
In the afternoon, Andrew Willcox MP joined the festivities, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and lending his support to this key cultural event.
India Fest Townsville President, Deepika Chaudhary, expressed her gratitude to the community for their support. In her closing speech, she thanked the sponsors, volunteers, and everyone involved in making the festival a success. Chaudhary highlighted the ongoing growth of India Fest and looked forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting celebration next year.
The event’s major sponsors included Bravus Mining and Resources, Townsville City Council, Multicultural Queensland, and several local businesses, all contributing to the festival’s success.
As India Fest Townsville celebrated its 10th anniversary, the festival’s success demonstrated the strength of community spirit, cultural exchange, and the lasting bonds created through such celebrations.
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