Attendees celebrated the holiday Holi with colored powder, water and even mud at the University of Florida’s Indian Student Association and UF Student Government’s fourth annual Holi festival.
Holi is a Hindu festival of colors from India that celebrates spring and commemorates various events in Hindu mythology. Although the holiday fell on March 13 this year, the UF celebration took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Flavet Field.
About 2,500 to 3,000 people came to the event, according to Zachary Sandoval, a director of UF Holi. Attendees could receive a free white t-shirt and Krishna lunch after collecting two bags each of colored powder. After event organizers counted down, attendees could throw the colored powder at each other and in the air, yelling “Happy Holi!”
After the big moment, the Gainesville Fire Department was there to relieve people of the heat with their fire hoses. Laughs filled the air as the water rained down on the crowd.
“To me, it’s a way to continue to keep our culture alive and strong and to keep the tradition going. Seeing my fellow Gator family having such a good time and enjoying the music, food and games is such a great feeling,” said UF student Vishesh Swaroop. Swaroop is a member of the Indian Student Association and assisted the directors in planning and executing the event.
Shannon Rieger, a UF student, stated “I didn’t really know what Holi was before this, but it has been so fun. I can’t wait for next time!”
