The 6th annual "Vaisakhi" celebration of the Sikh Society in Regina began on Sunday with a grand parade of the provincial legislature followed by celebrations in Wascana Park.

Manmeet Singh, executive member of the Regina Sikh Society, explained: "We celebrate this occasion every year in honor of our tenth teacher."

"Vaisakhi" is a spring harvest festival for many diverse cultural groups in India. The occasion is characterized by large gatherings with lots of food as well as cultural and religious performances.

"The term we use here is 'Nagar Kirtan,'" Singh said: "Nagar means 'city' and Kirtan means 'singing praises to the Lord,' so we hold this celebration every year." "We come together as a community, meet in the streets of our city, and thank God for getting us here."

The Sikh Society had to cancel its celebrations in 2020 and postpone the event until August in 2021. However, despite these disruptions, the event continues to grow year after year.

Singh said: "We have a bigger community, we have delegates from Calgary and Toronto."

Singh and the rest of the Sikh community members hope the event becomes something everyone can enjoy. "We hope in the future that every individual in Regina will come to celebrate this day with us."