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Thousands expected as Vaisakhi festival returns

Oprah FlashWest Midlands
City of Wolverhampton Council A crowd of tens of thousands of people in a park dressed in brightly coloured clothing facing away from the camera. In the background there appears to be a coloured stageCity of Wolverhampton Council
Thousands have previously turned out to West Park for the celebrations

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Wolverhampton for the return of the Vaisakhi celebrations.

One of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar, the cultural festival will take place at West Park, just outside of the city centre, on 3 May from 12:00 BST until 17:00.

Organised by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton, the free event is set to feature a fun fair, stalls and musicians performing live on stage.

Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar and celebrates the founding of the community in 1699. It is officially marked on 14 April this year.

City of Wolverhampton Council A row of men holding long poles covered in an orange cloth. They all have beards and are wearing a bright orange turban and scarf and a white robe.City of Wolverhampton Council
The celebrations will start with a parade from 08:30 BST

Free food will also be served throughout the day, and to kick off the festival there will be a parade from the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara on Cannock Road to West Park, starting at 08:30.

A number of road closures will be in place between 8:00 – 18:00 to make way for the parade, including:

  • Lansdowne Road
  • Park Avenue
  • Park Road East - closed between junctions with Park Road West/Southgate and Devon Road 8am
  • Park Road West - closed between junctions with Park Road East/Southgate and Summerfield Road
  • Southgate

Access to businesses on Bath Avenue will be maintained and managed throughout the event, the council has said.

City of Wolverhampton Council Two lines of men in yellow turbans riding motorcycles with orange flags on them bearing the Sikh religious symbol. They are on a road lined with trees and houses one one side. City of Wolverhampton Council
A number of roads will be shut to make way for the parade and celebrations

Professor Mak Sharma from School of Coding and AI, who has sponsored the upcoming event, said: "We are proud of our Wolverhampton roots, and not only is this an important event in the Sikh calendar, it is also one of the city's most loved and well attended cultural celebrations."

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, councillor Craig Collingswood, added: "This yearly religious festival is such a wonderful celebration for the Sikh community and I'm delighted to be part of the event this year.

"I would encourage everyone to put the date in their diary and witness West Park come alive to the sights and sounds of the Vaisakhi Festival."

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