Once again Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena was shut down to make way for the magnificent “Pageant of Lanka” featuring beautiful floats, magnificent theater elephants, stilt walkers, olubakkos, traditional drummers, dancers and Sri Lankan Americans in beautiful osaris, saris, hand painted and batik sarongs and beautiful handloom shirts.
Whip crackers lead the way announcing the parade. Rows of Sesath and National Flags filled Colorado. Students of Sri Lanka Foundation Performing Arts center, Thath Jith Dance Academy and Asian Friendship Arts Foundation and many others gathered performed beautiful dances and acts. The street was filled with the heart throbbing beats of traditional drums and the unique sound of silambu as dancers performed all the way through the parade route. Volunteers from around California gathered together to participate in the parade showcasing the pride of Sri Lanka.
This year the parade brought together non-profits, schools, temples and many other Sri Lankan American associations. Sri Lankan Americans young and old gathered to celebrate the 2,500-year-old history of their motherland. Twelve beautifully decorated floats took-on Colorado boulevard showcasing beautiful sights of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Sri Lankan Americans and Angelenos gathered to witness this amazing parade. “This year’s parade was absolutely wonderful! It is so worth the drive from San Diego” said one guest. The pageant organizing committee worked tirelessly to make this Pageant one for the history books, everyone rallied together, we didn’t care where we were from, which religious we are or which organization we were from. We lifted each other up!
The parade was held in conjunction with Sri Lanka Day, the biggest Sri Lankan cultural event hosted in California by Sri Lanka Foundation International at Centennial Square, right in front of the City Hall in Pasadena, California. It attracted a record number of cultural enthusiasts. For more information visit slday.com
