Joyful crowd embraces Festival of Colours in new location

OCEAN Grove Park exploded in a sea of colour last Sunday, as the community gathered for the annual Festival of Colours.

The event, which is now in its 10th year, is hosted by the members of the Hare Krishna Valley and celebrates the oneness of the human spirit and the changing of the season, in line with the ancient Hindu custom of Holi.

 

 

 

Traditionally held in Torquay, this year marked the first time the festival has been held in Ocean Grove, a shift that was motivated by growing community interest in the celebration and a desire to make the festival more accessible to those who may not have attended before.

Event organiser Keshava Jenkins estimates that up to 1,000 people attended the festival over the course of the day, each joining together to sing, dance and throw coloured powered into the air.

 

 

 

“Everyone’s just joyful,” he said of the colourful event.

“It’s no alcohol, it’s no drugs, so it just provides an opportunity for the community to come together and realise that they can enjoy themselves with having to do things that harm.

“It’s a way the community can come together and just live a clean life and a peaceful life.”

 

 

 

Mr Jenkins celebrated the diversity of those who engaged with the festival, with people of all ages and from all backgrounds getting involved in the day.

“We’re looking forward to the next one,” he said.

While the location for next year’s festival is still to be decided, Mr Jenkins confirmed the 2026 edition will be held in the region, in either Torquay or Ocean Grove.