What Festival Draws 60-100,000 People – Close to Chico?

by Jack Lee

For the last 33 years a local festival has been growing and growing and it’s become so big that at times it’s had up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world, and yet people less than 50 miles away hardly know about it.

I’m talking about the Sikh Festival in Tierra Buena. This year the parade, events and fireworks begin on Nov. 1st at 8 am and the event continues until 11 pm on Nov. 3rd.  

It’s estimated that about 300,000 meals will be served over the 3 days of celebration.  I’m advised there will be a sort of farmers market and many ethnic shops will form up under tents along Butte House Road in Tierra Buena.

The festival is one of a kind and it’s just 30 minutes by car from Chico and 45 minutes from Sacramento.

The ad says, “The Yuba City 34rd Annual Sikh Parade commemorates the Guru Gaddee inauguration holiday of Sikhism’s holy scripture, Siri Guru Granth Sahib, as the everlasting guru of the Sikhs. Every year, rain or shine, an increasing number of Sikh devotees and spectators flock to Yuba City, California for a weekend of festivities and the time honored tradition of Nagar Kirtan, a parade featuring devotional hymns.

This (below) was taken from last years schedule, but it’s probably pretty close to the 2013 schedule. I’ll keep searching for an update and post it when I find it.

Friday

8 p.m. — Fireworks followed by worship service and kirtan.

Saturday

9 a.m. — Raising of Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag, followed by morning worship and kirtan.

2 p.m. — Open house, tour of gurdwara complex and grounds.

6 p.m. — midnight — Rain sabaee kirtan worship service.

Sunday

11 a.m. — Parade. A float bearing Guru Granth Sahib is followed by a procession of floats and devotees winding through the streets of Yuba City along a 4 and 1⁄2-mile loop.

Events are open to the public, everyone is welcome to attend. Langar, an estimated 300,000 free meals, served throughout the weekend.

“All ethnicities are welcomed. No matter what race, color or religion you are, please come and join us.”

This is a really big deal. It’s by far the largest event in Northern California.  If you don’t have the time or money to fly to India to see the sights, then you might want to mosey on down to Yuba City on the first Friday, Saturday or Sunday of November, 2013.