Once again the Desi Junction team out-did itself to bring the most awaited event of the year. This once in a year happening, SUMMER FEST, 2007, was the perfect reflection of what Desi Junction is thriving on for more than 5 years. The enthusiastic crowd of every color class and creed kept all volunteers on their toes for every item of the day. But equally motivated volunteers had plans to make every moment fun filled and engaging. It was the uphill task to keep over 2500 guests entertained, arrange plentiful food and give them the genuine glimpses of their home lands BUT AS ALWAYS DESI JUNCTION TEAM DID IT WITH FLYING COLORS.
What could be better on a wonderful summer day than good food, good friends, great games and free entertainment and more important your own local Radio show hosts. Yes, this year Desi Junction’s annual Summer fest was bigger and better than ever - A Celebration filled with fun / color / food / games and entertainment was held on Saturday June 2nd .
This open house family event included free food, lots of games with Desi touch, Desi entertainment and booths from few of the sponsors. Admission was free and included food (Veg and non-veg) and Rooh-Afza & Lemonade drinks.
More than 2500 people turned up for the 2007 Summer Fest , the weather was just perfect which made the event even more enjoyable. The seniors of South Asian community inaugurated the Festival by filling the deep blue sky with the colorful balloons. The whole place was very colorful with people wearing colored dresses, having food and drinks with multiple colors, kids painted with colorful hands and faces, kites flying. Everything was colorful.
The crowd had already started pouring in big groups of families and friends. On the east end the grounds you could see the smoke coming out of the grills, where flavors of spicy chicken and aromatic Chole Chawal, Chicken Biryani, Rooh-Afza and lemonade was the reminder of the typical summer day back home. Thanks to generous Desi Junction sponsors like India House, India Buffet, Data Darbar and Viceroy of India. Their big-heartedness enabled the Desi Junction team to maintain the tradition of free food for everyone. Some of the sponsors provided Chicken Biryani and Pasta dishes (it was very popular with kids) and cold drinks.
All day long, there were continued activities such as dancing on the melodies provided by “DJ CHUCK DE”. Kids of all ages participated in the festivities which included kite flying, music, dancing and many thrilling games such as ‘Saas bahu tug of war’ and balloon toss, Due to overwhelming response of little kids, the team had to have multiple rounds of ‘lemon-spoon ‘, ‘apple fishing’ and ‘donut race’. Kids also had their own special activity corner where they participated in activities such as mask & visor making, poster painting and face painting. Couples were energized when they heard about ‘three legged race’ and ‘Bori race’. The winners of these races were awarded with free tickets to “AR Rehman’s concert.
The show stealer event came in the late afternoon. When the announcement for ‘ladies arm wrestling’ was made, to everyone’s surprise all the chairs on the stage got filled within minutes. It felt like as if Indian and Pakistani ladies were waiting for this game. Thanks to the innovative thinking of Desi Junction team this ‘never done before’ game gave a chance to these ladies to show their mussel strength. Jassi and Bobby’s chatpati commentary made it even more gripping.
The Dedicated Volunteer force of Desi Junction ensured that all activities (food drinks, entertainment, games, arrangements etc.) were excellent and everybody enjoyed the Summer fest 2007.
FUN / LOVE / HARMONY / PEACE. Hindu / Muslim / Sikh / Christians joined their hands in making this event a grand success. Everyone enjoyed every part of this event to the fullest.
People were really happy with the weather, and some of them were really shocked to see so many Desi people in one location, they had never thought that there were in Chicago, it was like a mela in India or Pakistan.
“Desi Junction was able to achieve in a day what our leaders back home have not done in 60 years. In the Summer Festival, no one was distinguished as Indian, or Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Hindu, Muslim Sikh and Christian joined their hands to make it a total success and enjoyed every part of this celebration of love and harmony to the fullest.“ wrote Hasmukh Patel in his e-mail.
