May 29 :
With the help of Event Masters, Femina Spa & Salon, LIDC, the New York Kabaddi Club, Metropolitan Caterers, NC Asian American Affairs, IAAC, and the Long Island Punjabi Circle, the Fourth Annual Vaisakhi Mela was held on Sunday, May 19. Organisers noted in a press release that the event's pleasant sounds were thundered by a large stage with enormous speakers serving as wings.
Clothing, jewellery, and footwear were among the products offered by the merchants. Businesses showcased a variety of products and services, including financial services, culinary samples, real estate, automobile dealerships, solar panels, and tiles. As the event's grand sponsors, United Mortgage wanted to make a grand entrance with a massive booth and banners everywhere. There was a never-ending queue at popular caterers such as Metropolitan, Punjabi Dhaba, Badshah, Royal, Momos, and Yass Tea, all of which served delicious food and drinks.
Free games, rides, cotton candy, popcorn, pony rides, drinks, and ice cream were available in the Kids Section, sponsored by Patel Brothers of Hicksville. The eye-catching raffle booth, adorned with colourful chunnis, was the main attraction, with a KIA car as the first prize. The enticing array of prizes, including big screen TVs, jewellery sets, iPods, and more, was enough to get people to purchase lottery tickets.
Everyone was on the dance floor because of the incredible performances by famous Punjabi singers Gulab Sidhu, Khuda Baksh, Harmanpreet Kaur, and others. Bhangra and Giddha, which highlighted the cultural roots, were included in the timeline. Mela expressed their appreciation to the Nassau County administration, particularly the office of Asian affairs. In addition to attending the event, notable guests such as County Executive Bruce Blakeman, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, New York State Assemblyman John K. Mikulin, NC Human Rights Commission Chairman Bobby Kumar Kalotee, ICCI T-20 World Cup Chairman Harry Singh Bolla, Senior Advisor Akram Chaudhary, and many more were recognised with citations and proclamations.
The Mela team always chooses a deserving family to support with a significant donation; this year, they picked the family of late volunteer and team member Davinder Singh. Bolla Oil's Harry Singh Bolla gave $5,000 to the family, in addition to the $2,500 that Mela gave.
At both the pre- and post-event dinners held at Metropolitan Caterers in Glen Cove, the Vaisakhi Mela organizers—Jay Sharma, Onkar Singh, Rajeev Maini, Deepak Bansal, and Jasbir Jay Singh—thanked the sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and entire team for all their hard work. Sponsors Richard Hernandez, Ravi Chopra, Purushottam ji, and renowned vocalists Gulab Sidhu and Khuda Baksh are among the other notable individuals. In addition to serving as event sponsors, One Touch Studios (Gagan & Guri) captured the moments on camera.
