YMCA Diwali event 2012

Wow!  To put it in the words of Jackie Fenn, the Executive Director of the Lionville YMCA, "This is the best example I have ever seen of community and Y truly partnering together to reach out and bring such a great experience to our neighbors." Truly the largest event of its kind in Chester county - the Lionville YMCA hosted the Diwali event for 2012.

The Y gets transformed on this day with sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures of India.  An effort that started 7 years ago, continues to draw huge crowds from the local community every year.  Every visitor is delighted to learn more, participate and enjoy the festivities to their fullest - cultural performances, arts and crafts, food, music, a variety of vendors, Bollywood dancing and more...

Winners Rangoli contest, Lionville YMCA 2012

For some of us first generation immigrants who call Chester county PA their home, it is a great opportunity to hold on to past traditions and celebrate Diwali like we did in India. Rangoli, one of the traditions of Diwali, happens to be my personal favorite.   The picture shows the prize winning designs created by local participants.

This year, I had the privilege of getting a "behind the scenes look" at all the effort and coordination required to pull this event together, and I am extremely impressed.  The YMCA staff, the Diwali committee, a whole bunch of enthusiastic volunteers who pull this off, deserve a very special mention and gratitude.  The Daily Local News had  a great article earlier in the week, quoting some of the committee members and the event is gaining in popularity every year.

If you live in the Chester Springs, Downingtown, Exton, West Chester area - I hope you took this opportunity to participate in one of the area's biggest cultural outreach events.  If you were not able to join in the festivities this year - be sure to get on the email list to be reminded next year.

For those of you who attended - please share your experiences in the comment section below.  Did you have as much fun as I did?


Bela Vora, REALTOR®, 
Coldwell Banker Preferred - Exton Real Estate.
Office: 610 363 6006; Cell: (484) 947 3127
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