Festival of Colors
Circa 2016

This was the website for the 2016 Festival of Colors part of the Festival of India, Marina Park, Thunder Bay. The content is from the site's 2016 archived pages.

The 2016 festival was its 7th presentation and was just as fabulous as its preceding ones with its music, dance, drama, a delicious free vegetarian feast, and the simply joyous celebration of thousands of people gathered together for the festivities. I've attended for several years now. My favorite part of the festival is the Colour Throw Event called Holi. With roots in ancient East India, the Color Festival is a joyful reminder to cast away bad feelings and throw worries to the wind. In India, the Festival of Colors (Holi) announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter.
At the end of the festival I always marvel at what needs to be cleaned up. I guess it's because I work at a company that offers commercial floor cleaning services, and I know that many of the workers are employed to perform night cleaning jobs, as well as pre/post special event cleaning. And I recognize the labor and organization that is required for such as an event as this. Quite frankly, I am glad I am on the celebration side of the festival and not part of the clean up crew.

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India’s vibrant colours, music and food are halfway around the world…but on July 23 and 24th, you can experience India right here at Marina Park from 3 until 8! 

The 7th Annual Festival of India features Festival of colours, FREE vegetarian feast, music, dances, chariot parade, Henna Tattoo and transcendental art exhibit!  Entrance is FREE. Donations are welcome.

 Mark your calendar…Festival of India…July 23 and 24th !

What is Color Festival?
 
With roots in ancient India, Color Festival is a joyful reminder to cast away bad feelings and throw worries to the wind. Join the throngs of people laughing, playing, dancing, eating, and filling the sky with clouds of bright color.  Now we're bringing it on the road so that YOU can experience this transformative celebration of color, music, and culture.With an incredible line-up of live musicians, dancers, yoga instructors, and more, Color Festival is an unforgettable experience that will help you re-center your life on what matters most, and create memories to last a lifetime. 

Colors
The colors used are plant-based, non-toxic, and environmentally-friendly. Made from food-grade cornstarch, you could even eat them (not that we suggest that!).

History
 In India, the Festival of Colors (Holi) announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. The festival breathes an atmosphere of joy and love. People embrace each other in a spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness, and gratitude. Every nook and corner presents a colorful sight: young and old alike covered in color, singing, dancing, laughing together.Holi has long traditional links with several legends.

Entertainment
The entertainment at Color Festival creates an atmosphere of joy and color. From contemporary music to traditional dancing, you'll be carried away in the celebration of life, music, and culture. 
 

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Items for sale ( available at the venue ).

 

Om T shirts. & Holi T shirts.

 
Color Powder
 
Custom sun glasses.
 
Om Buff.

Note:

We have assorted colors (violet, green, pink,  yellow, red, chrome, light green, sky blue) in 100 gram bags. Corn starch, permissible cosmetic grade dyes, & fragrance. Will not harm grass. If a large crowd throws the colors on grass, blow the grass with a leaf blower, & turn on the sprinkler system. Least likely to stain hair and clothes if maximum amount is shaken out dry before showering or washing.

Sprinkle or stroke them on with finger tips. Anyone with breathing issues should stay away from the thick of the dust, wear a dust mask, or avoid all together. Even for those without breathing issues eye wear and dust protection is never a bad idea. Wherever children are present, adults should monitor, as the children can get overexcited and throw into each other faces.

 

More Background On TBayFest.com

 

TBayFest.com stands as the vibrant public face of one of Thunder Bay’s most beloved summer traditions: the Festival of India and the exuberant Festival of Colours. For many residents and returning visitors, this annual event is synonymous with music that fills the lakefront air, sights of families coated in joyful bursts of color, aromas of authentic vegetarian cuisine drifting across Marina Park, and an atmosphere that feels more like a communal embrace than a simple outdoor gathering.

At its core, TBayFest.com functions as the storyteller, organizer, and celebration-leader of this cultural phenomenon. It captures everything that makes the festival special—its Indian roots, its family-friendly design, its irresistible combination of food, music, dance, and community spirit—and presents it in a warm, welcoming, highly accessible way.

This article takes you deeper into the world that TBayFest.com represents: its history, ownership, activities, popularity, cultural meaning, audience, and the unique elements that have made the festival a Thunder Bay landmark.

Ownership & Leadership Behind TBayFest.com

TBayFest.com is connected with the work of the Vedic Cultural Centre – Thunder Bay, a community-oriented cultural organization that has spent more than a decade bringing Indian arts, heritage, and spirituality to Northern Ontario. Their team plans the annual Festival of India as well as the Festival of Colours (Holi-inspired), sharing traditions rooted in thousands of years of Indian history with a modern, multicultural Canadian city.

The guiding philosophy behind TBayFest.com is simple yet powerful:

Celebrate culture.
Promote unity.
Welcome everyone.

This guiding spirit is reflected in everything TBayFest.com publishes—from its open invitation to all community members to its emphasis on free access, nourishment, joy, and meaningful cultural exchange.

The Setting: Marina Park — Thunder Bay’s Waterfront Jewel

Every event promoted on TBayFest.com takes place at Marina Park, one of Thunder Bay’s most scenic public spaces. Situated along the Lake Superior shoreline, the park offers festivalgoers wide-open spaces, waterfront breezes, rolling green lawns, and a natural amphitheater for music and dance.

This setting is a perfect match for the vibrant programming TBayFest.com advertises. The colorful powder clouds from the Festival of Colours drift beautifully against the sunlit lake, while dance performances and musical acts enjoy generous space to draw large crowds. Families sprawl on blankets, children run freely, vendors line the walkways, and the spirit of celebration carries seamlessly across the water.

Using Marina Park as a home base has helped TBayFest.com grow from a modest cultural event into a major summer attraction embraced by thousands.

The Festival Experience as Presented by TBayFest.com

A Free Vegetarian Feast

One of the long-standing signatures of the festival is the free freshly prepared vegetarian feast—a tradition rooted in Indian hospitality and spiritual community meals. It is professionally cooked, richly flavored, and deeply appreciated by Thunder Bay residents who look forward to savoring authentic Indian cuisine each summer.

This feast isn’t just a meal.
It’s a symbolic gesture of unity.
A reminder that generosity builds connection.

A Full Spectrum of Performances

TBayFest.com regularly highlights a diverse lineup of Indian performing arts, including:

  • Classical dance (Odissi, Bharatanatyam)

  • Folk dance (Bhangra, Garba, Rajasthani styles)

  • Live Kirtan music

  • Drumming and interactive percussion

  • Storytelling, drama, and cultural demonstrations

These performances range from deeply traditional to celebratory and energetic, giving attendees a full spectrum of India’s artistic heritage.

The Festival of Colours (Holi)

This is without doubt the most visually iconic element promoted on TBayFest.com.

At designated times, crowds gather in anticipation, clutching packets of brightly colored powder. Then—with laughter and music swelling—the air erupts into vivid plumes of pink, green, yellow, violet, red, and blue. Children dance, adults embrace, strangers become friends in seconds as colors blend into swirling clouds of joy.

TBayFest.com describes the color-throw as symbolic of:

  • letting go of negativity

  • celebrating life

  • embracing joy together

  • welcoming community with open arms

It is a moment that lives in photos, in memories, and in the hearts of everyone who participates.

Chariot Parade (Jagannath Rathyatra)

A hallmark event of Indian spiritual festivals, the Chariot Parade features a beautifully decorated cart pulled across the festival grounds. Accompanied by music, chants, and dancing participants, it blends cultural devotion with a public celebration anyone can join.

TBayFest.com proudly includes this in the schedule as a way to share living Indian tradition with a Canadian audience.

Marketplace, Vendors & Cultural Goods

TBayFest.com often showcases the unique marketplace that surrounds the festival. It’s a lively bazaar where visitors can browse:

  • Indian clothing and fabrics

  • Jewelry and accessories

  • Handcrafted décor

  • Yoga and philosophy literature

  • Natural incense

  • Cultural artwork

  • Festival-themed T-shirts and apparel

  • Children’s items and souvenirs

And of course, colour-powder packets, which come in a rainbow of safe, plant-based varieties.

This marketplace adds texture and discovery to the festival—giving guests a chance to take home something beautiful, meaningful, or simply fun.

Safety, Accessibility & Family-Friendliness

One of the strengths of TBayFest.com is how clearly and responsibly it communicates safety and accessibility. The festival is designed for all ages:

  • Children’s activity zones

  • Henna tattoo booths

  • Shaded rest areas

  • Recommendations for eye protection during colour throws

  • Advice for families with very young children

  • Notes for attendees with allergies or breathing sensitivities

These thoughtful details reflect a festival built for everyone, not just a specific demographic.

Audience Appeal & Community Impact

A Festival for Everyone

TBayFest.com positions the festival as open, inclusive, and universally enjoyable. And the audience reflects that:

  • Families with children

  • Seniors

  • College students

  • Local residents seeking cultural enrichment

  • Members of the Indian, South Asian, and global diaspora

  • Tourists visiting Thunder Bay for the first time

TBayFest.com consistently emphasizes free entry, which dramatically increases attendance and encourages a diverse mix of participants.

Cultural Bridge-Building

The festival has become a cultural staple, offering:

  • A positive introduction to Indian culture for newcomers

  • A sense of home for Indian-heritage communities

  • A shared space for cross-cultural learning

  • A joyful celebration where differences dissolve

TBayFest.com takes pride in its ability to foster unity through music, colour, dance, and food.

Historical Growth & Evolution

Over more than a decade, TBayFest.com has chronicled the steady rise of the Festival of India and Festival of Colours from a small community gathering into a major citywide celebration.

Key phases of evolution include:

Early Years

Modest attendance, local performers, simple vegetarian meals, and foundational cultural experiences.

Mid-Growth

Expanded dance and music programs, larger volunteer teams, the introduction of the color-throw event, and steadily increasing crowd sizes.

Recent Years

The festival now regularly attracts large audiences, features international performers, coordinates professional-grade sound and staging, and hosts a fully developed cultural marketplace.

TBayFest.com has played an essential role in documenting and guiding this growth by keeping the festival’s messaging clear, organized, and forward-facing.

Press Coverage & Public Recognition

Though TBayFest.com functions as the official voice, the festival has also been covered widely by:

  • Local news outlets

  • Tourism guides

  • Cultural blogs

  • Community event calendars

  • Social media influencers

Coverage consistently highlights its joyful atmosphere, its appeal to families, its diverse programming, and its significant cultural value to Thunder Bay.

TBayFest.com, by acting as a central information source, helps ensure that the festival receives the recognition it deserves.

Cultural & Social Significance

Beyond entertainment, TBayFest.com represents something meaningful:

  • A celebration of cultural diversity

  • A platform for artistic expression

  • A symbol of unity and joy

  • A safe, inclusive gathering for all ages

  • A vehicle for introducing Indian traditions to the broader community

  • A reminder that shared experiences build stronger cities

Thunder Bay’s community has embraced this festival as a cherished summer tradition, and TBayFest.com has helped shape that identity.

Why TBayFest.com Matters

TBayFest.com succeeds because it makes a cultural celebration feel accessible, joyous, and welcoming. Its tone is friendly, its information is clear, and its mission is inclusive. It invites every person—no matter their background—to participate in:

  • dancing

  • eating

  • celebrating

  • learning

  • laughing

  • and making colorful memories

In an age where many festivals feel commercial or exclusive, TBayFest.com represents something refreshingly authentic.

 

TBayFest.com is far more than an event page. It is the digital gateway to an uplifting, community-building, internationally inspired cultural celebration. Its voice captures the energy of dancing crowds, the sweetness of shared meals, the surprise of a sudden burst of pink powder in the air, and the joy of a city coming together at its waterfront.

Its ongoing work ensures that Thunder Bay’s Festival of India & Festival of Colours continues to grow, evolve, and bring happiness to thousands each year.

 

TBayFest.com