Colourful celebration returns to Elephant Walk

THE Festival of Colours will make a return to its Torquay home this month, moving back to the foreshore after last year’s temporary shift to Ocean Grove.

Organised by the Hare Krishna Valley, the free, family-friendly event will take place at Elephant Walk on Sunday, February 22 between 11am and 4pm.

 

The event is inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi and aims to bring the community together through music, dance and the throwing of coloured powders – a symbolic celebration of love, friendship and happiness.

The local festival, first held in Bambra in 2014, has been running for more than a decade and regularly attracts large crowds. Organisers opted to bring the event back to Torquay this year after it proved the festival’s strongest drawcard location.

Lead organiser Keshava Jenkins said the event’s focus remained on connection and inclusion.

“We see there’s a lot of divide in the community at the moment, so it’s just a way of bringing the whole community together,” he said.

 

“Everyone’s welcome; there’s no discrimination and we just want everyone to come and have a really good time.”

The day will feature live music, DJs and dancing alongside children’s activities including jumping castles and face painting.

Jenkins encouraged attendees to bring their family and friends, and to dress in white to enhance the colour experience.

“It makes it even more colourful, more powerful,” he said.

Vegetarian and vegan food will be available, with colour powder packs also on sale at the event.