Chicago, September 24, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (P.C.S.) organized a “Punjabi Mela” all day family event for the community on Sunday September 18, 2022 at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine, Illinois. More than 400 community members including children and senior citizens attended. The weather outdoors was awesome.
The event consisted of free entry, free food, fun activities and all day sports for young and old. The grounds were set up with tents, chairs and a stage.
“This Punjabi Mela was organized to get our community together with their families and children out in the fresh air for fun activities, sports and meeting people after the official relaxation of Covid19 pandemic restrictions. P.C.S. is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said P.C.S. president Parvinder Singh Nanua.
A Sikh prayer Shabad followed by the American national anthem sung by Ms. Mini Singh at the opening ceremonies.
State of Illinois Representative Michelle Mussman, State Representative Mark Walker, State Senator Laura Murphy and State Senator Ann Gillespie along with PCS officials and community leaders inaugurated this sports festival by releasing a bunch of helium balloons into the sunny silver sky.
All the attending local area elected officials made congratulatory remarks about the event, and applauded our community and the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago for its holistic approach to its community building efforts. They also celebrated the moment by dancing Punjabi Bhangra along with the community members.
“Promoting physical activity by providing a platform through this kind of sports programming, the Punjabi Cultural Society is providing a tremendous service to the people of Chicagoland and aids them in achieving closer relationships and a healthier lifestyle,” said Kevin Atwal the PCS Chairman.
Many other leaders of Punjabi sports clubs also attended to show their support and made contributions.
It was a day of physical and athletic activities, rest, conversations and meeting people who may have not seen each other for a while due to Covid19.
A moon-walk bouncy clubhouse for the little children to jump around in and have fun kept them occupied and entertained all day long.
There were several vendors advertising their services and merchandise.
DJ music was blasting all day. All the participating athletes and spectators were served Chicken curry, Naan, Chhole, Rice, Karhi, Pakauras, Jalebis, hot tea and bottled water all day. The event was free and open to all.
The full day fun activities included musical chair races for children and ladies, tug-of-war, javelin throw, shot put, several children’s races for various ages, and ladies fun races like spoon & lemon race held throughout the day. Awards were presented to the winners by many past PCS Chairmen and community leaders who attended the event, including Dr. Hargurmukh pal Singh, Jaidev Bhattal, Harkewal Singh Lali, Amardev Bandesha, Harminder Girn, and Manjit Kaur.
“There was tons of fun for everyone,” said Rajinder Singh Mago PCS Board of Governors.
The attendees took advantage of the bean bag throws, flying kites, Frisbee, and enjoyed playing volleyball the rest of the day. Some attendees walked around the park enjoying the nice weather, cashing in on an opportunity to get together in fresh air.
A young local Punjabi singer Palwinder Singh Sunny sang a variety of heartwarming and nostalgic Punjabi folk songs. The audience relaxing in their chairs or sitting on the grass like in a musical concert, soaking the lukewarm sun, listening to the music, relished the ambiance to its fullest.
The event was organized by Parmjot Singh Parmar, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Vick Singh, Jigerdeep Dhillon, Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal, Gurpreet Sidhu, Bikram Sohi, Gurlal Bhattal, Balwinder Girn, Mohinderjit Saini, Gurmit Dhillon, Bhinder Pamma, Paul Lail, Jasbir Palia, Surinder Palia, Sukhmel Atwal, Amarjit Atwal, Yadwinder Grewal, and Rajinder Singh Mago.
All the PCS Officials and several volunteers like Aman Kular were part of the organizing committee and helped out wherever the help was needed.
The sound system was provided by DJ Shirish Shah. Food was catered by K.K. Pamma, and photos courtesy of Kamaljit Virdi.
PCS’ next event is the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022 on State Street Chicago.
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