Colourful celebration moves to Ocean Grove

THE annual Festival of Colours will move from the Torquay foreshore to Ocean Grove when it returns for its 10th edition next week.

Organised by members of the Hare Krishna Valley, the family-friendly event will be held on February 23 between 11am and 4pm at Ocean Grove Park, with more than 1,000 people expected to attend.

Inspired by the popular Hindu tradition of Holi, the festival celebrates the oneness of human spirit, peace and harmony between humanity and nature, and marks the blooming of a new season, as colour rains down from the sky.

The community are invited to come together in song and dance, and to each hour throw powdered colour into the air with their family, friends and neighbours.

Lead organiser Keshava Jenkins said he was looking forward to staging the event once again for the local community.

“It’s an amazing event that helps to bring the community together,”he said.

“It’s the kind of event that we want to continue doing because it’s something that brings a lot of colour and a lot of life into the community.

“People are going through a lot at the moment, with the cost-of-living crisis and all the stresses in life. They need times where they can come together as a community and just relax.”

He hopes the change of venue, which was motivated by growing demand, will allow people who haven’t experienced the cultural event to get involved.

DJ duo Global Party People will provide the stage entertainment throughout the festival, while attendees will have the opportunity to have their fortune told and try meditation.

For the youngsters, a dedicated kid’s zone will offer jumping castles, face painting and a variety of other activities.

A range of vegetarian and vegan food will also be available for purchase.

Entry to the festival is free and attendees are encouraged to wear white on the day for best results.

For more information, or to pre-purchase coloured dyes for the event, head to festivalofcolours.com.au