The 28th Annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City turned in record crowds this weekend, exceeding the expectations of organizers. Near perfect weather brought in an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Sikhs and non-Sikhs on Sunday to enjoy one of the Sacramento Valley's largest religious and cultural celebrations. The weekend activities honor the receipt by Sikhs of their Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib, in 1708, which Sikhs use as their spiritual guide.



"God blessed us with a day that allowed us to reflect on and remember the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib," said Didar Singh Bains, Parade founder and chairman. At its core, Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, honorable living, social justice and equality of mankind." No where was the reminder of the Sikh core values more prevalent than in the symbolism that went into the preparation and serving of more than 200,000 free meals.

"The tradition comes from one of the Sikh Guru's who used money his father had given him for buying goods and used it instead to buy food and clothing for those in need," said Jaswant Singh Bains, Director, Yuba City Sikh Temple Gurdwara.

The festive day brought an end to 48 hours of non-stop prayer. As the main float left the Sikh Temple grounds, flower petals rained down from a helicopter hovering above the ceremony and parade. The four and a half mile parade featured floats and a procession of thousands of Sikhs walking with the floats. In the Sikh tradition, anyone is free to join in the parade at anytime. Along the parade route, Sikhs families set up food booths and provided free drinks, snacks and prepared food for the throng of visitors.

While tens of thousands lined the parade the route, many more thousands congregated at the Sikh Temple to socialize and enjoy the free food. Inside the Sikh Temple grounds, attendees feasted on traditional Sikh food and American traditions such as cotton candy and popcorn.

Sikhs from throughout the United States, Canada, England and India attended the celebration, while many non-Sikhs from throughout Northern California attended to share in the day of devotion. Although many younger Sikhs and their families have left Yuba City, the weekend of devotion makes for a homecoming weekend for many. "Sikhs first arrived in America more than 100 years ago to work on the railroads outside Sacramento, and Yuba City became their first home due to its rich agricultural land and likeness to their native land, Punjab," said Kuldip Singh Atwal, Secretary, Yuba City Sikh Temple.

Sikhs will begin arriving back at the Sikh Temple Monday morning at 4 a.m. to help clean up not only the Sikh Temple grounds but also along the parade route. The clean up usually takes three days to complete. Next year marks the 400th year anniversary of the Guru Granth Sahib.