NEW YORK, NY (TIP): Organized by the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill,  New York,  with the cooperation of the Sikh Gurudwaras and the  Sikh organizations of the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the 37^th Sikh Day Parade on April 26 in Manhattan, New York, attracted, as usual, large crowds of Sikh men, women and children from far and near. Contingents of the Sikhs came from as far as Philadelphia and Maryland.

Saturday’s dreary weather didn’t stop a full day of traditions, history, food and music at the Sikh Day Parade in Midtown.

Colorful displays of the Sikh faith made their way down Madison Avenue, ending with free meals for thousands. As the floats made their way down the wet pavement, the sounds of Sikh traditions were heard loud and clear.

For the 37th Annual Sikh Day Parade, many in their colorful turbans and cultural clothing — most of them wearing rain ponchos — lined up to celebrate Vaisakhi. The day which originally is the celebration of harvest, is also the day when the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, created a sect called Khalsa, and gave it a distinct form and appearance. Thus, the day is both a socio-cultural festival and a celebration of the birthday of Khalsa (more popularly known as the Sikhs)

“Today is  a celebration of Vaisakhi, and also a celebration of the creation of our faith, and we are here celebrating,” paradegoer Baldev Singh Grewal who is founder -publisher of a leading Punjabi newspaper Sher-e-Punjab,  said.

The parade concluded with a meeting at Madison Square Park, where community leaders made speeches and  free food , called langer in Sikhism, was served.