A new Festival of Light: Diwali poster has been issued by sponsor University of the Fraser Valley for an Oct. 18 event offering food, entertainment and a community/commercial marketplace at Clarke Theatre. For all of this, there is no admission charge, thanks to sponsorship by UFV, Mission Arts Council, Province of BC, Swing Optical, District of Mission and Save On Foods.

Also contributing is United Way of the Lower Mainland, Abbotsford Costco and a host of entertainers and generous suppliers, Mission Rotary, Bob Friesen Photography, high school student leadership teams, MCSS support team, United Defense Security, Mission Fire Rescue Service, and the talented crew at Mission Clarke Theatre.

Emcees are Satti Grewal and Kelly Chahal. Stage manager is Alex Rake. Chair of organizing committee is Rick Rake, with support from Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce president Raj Patara, Coun. Ken Herar, Saba Alam, Karen Laing, John Laing, Satti Grewal, Jim Hinds, Mission Arts Council and Bob Friesen.

Rake is speaking to Mission Mid-Day Rotary Club about Diwali on Oct. 1. A big round of applause to media sponsors What’s On! Mission magazine, Abbotsford News, Mission Record and Punjabi Patrika.

Dasmesh Punjabi School, Learning Stars Arts Academy, Khalsa School, Abbotsford Arts Academy, Jennie Bice and others are all part of putting on a two-hour Diwali stage show.

Look for the huge Swing Optical sign in the fall, promoting the event, like it did last year, northbound on Abbotsford-Mission Highway near Lepp Farm Market. Remember this year’s event occurs on Friday, Oct. 18. Mark it on your calendar!