More than 4,000 people attended the Tamil Festival Australia Thai Pongal celebration at Caribbean Park on Sunday, marking the harvest festival with a full day of cultural activity, food and performances.
The event brought together families and community groups for an indoor program that reflected the themes of gratitude, renewal and shared celebration that sit at the heart of Thai Pongal. Cultural showcases, food stalls, children’s activities, traditional sports and live music ran across the venue throughout the day.
“Always an incredible time at The Tamil Festival Australia Thai Pongal celebration at Caribbean Park. The spirit of Thai Pongal, gratitude, community, hope and renewal truly shone through as we came together on Sunday. Thank you for another great year and for sharing your culture with us,” said Dr Carina Garland, Member for Chisholm.
Organisers said the strong turnout highlighted the continuing role of the festival as a meeting point for Melbourne’s Tamil community, while also drawing wider participation from across the city. Volunteers, performers, sponsors and stallholders contributed to delivering a program that balanced tradition with a family-friendly atmosphere.
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