Festival of Light: Diwali produced by Mission Community Services Society with 24 sponsors, 22 commercial/community booths, eight stage acts, 50 student volunteers and a delicious ethnic dinner attracted a huge crowd to Mission Clarke Theatre on Oct. 26.

In addition to Bhangra dancers, the event featured stage acts offering a touch of Ireland, the Ukraine and Mexico . . . and some special antics by emcee Satti Grewal who was on stage with co-emcee Abbotsford Coun. Kelly Chahal.

Dasmesh Punjabi School and Abbotsford Arts Academy provided traditional Diwali entertainment.

Mission Community Services Society executive director Sanjay Gulati read a special Diwali message sent to him from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Words of welcome were also provided by the University of the Fraser Valley, Mission Mayor Randy Hawes, MLAs Simon Gibson and Marc Dalton.

Diwali organizing team 2016 included Rick Rake, Pam Alexis, Sanjay Gulati, Satti Grewal and Laura Wilson.

Pictures from the event are at the following links: (Violet Biggs Photography https://www.facebook.com/violetbiggsphotography. . . Holly Craine:

https://www.facebook.com/Mission-Community-Services-Society-352367314847313/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1151233848293985

and at this link:  https://www.facebook.com/rick.rake/posts/1294564020575208

Enjoy!