Whitten Oval might have some impressive new floodlights, but they won’t be needed this Sunday night when the West Footscray Traders Association hold its annual Diwali festival at the venue.
The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is the biggest event on the calendar for the local Indian community and fittingly, the Whitten Oval event will end with a massive fireworks display at 9pm.
There’ll be plenty of other attractions leading up to the fireworks display as well, with multicultural dances and music, roving performers, an animal farm arranged by Melbourne Zoo and paid amusement rides.
Face painting and food trucks will also be provided at the free event, which is now in its ninth year.
West Footscray Traders Association’s Debbie Lanciana explained why the association holds its own Diwali festival.
“There are a lot of Indian traders in the area, but it just gets a great crowd because it’s just a fantastic event, very colorful,” she said.
“It’s for the whole community and that’s sort of reflected by who turns up.”
Crowds of up to 6000 people have attended the even in recent years and Ms Lanciana said as long as the weather remained fine, a similar number was expected this year, which will be the first at the newly redeveloped Whitten Oval.
“Diwali festival is the only multicultural celebration held at the bulldogs ground for now and we are very proud to be able to celebrate it with the community,” she said.
“Our diverse community come up in large numbers for the celebrations and everyone enjoys thoroughly.”
Festival of Lights Melbourne Diwali 2024 is Whitten Oval from 4pm to 9pm on October 27.
Entry is free, but bookings are recommended: surl.li/uaylzm
Cade Lucas
