Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago organized “Punjabi Mela” an all-day family event for the community, with an open invitation to all, on Sunday September 17, 2023 at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine, Illinois. More than 300 community members, including children and senior citizens attended. Jagmohan Singh Begowal from Michigan was the chief guest.
The weather outdoors eventually turned out very nice after a brief shower in the morning which caused a couple of hours delay in starting the on-ground physical sports activities. But the participants enjoyed food, hot tea and jalebis under the tents.
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. A famous Punjabi singer Geeta Zaildar entertained the audience and made them dance from 4 pm to 7 pm.
“This Punjabi Mela was a community together, families and children out in the fresh air to socialize, indulge in fun activities, and play sports. P.C.S. is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle among our youth,” said P.C.S. president Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal.
A Sikh prayer Shabad, and the American national anthem was sung by Ms. Mini Singh at the inauguration ceremonies.
A red ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the festival was led by the State of Illinois Representative Michelle Mussman, State Representative Nabeela Syed, and Hanover Park Township Assessor Khaja Moinuddin along with PCS officials and community leaders.
All the attending local area elected officials made congratulatory remarks about the event, applauded our community and the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago for its community building efforts. They also celebrated the moment by dancing Punjabi Bhangra along with the PCS Board members.
"Promoting physical activity by providing a platform through this kind of sports programming, the Punjabi Cultural Society is providing an amazing service to our community,” said Nick Balwinder Singh the PCS Chairman.
Many leaders of the local Punjabi sports clubs, community organizations, and generous sponsors attended to appreciate the event and show their support and made generous contributions.
F.B.I. Chicago recruitment office set up an exhibit table to provide information about how to join FBI. There were several other vendors at the “Mela.”
DJ music by Manpreet Bhalla was blasting all day. All the participating athletes and spectators were served Naan, Chhole, Bhature, Rice, Karhi, Vegetable dish, 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, shot put, several children's sprint races for various ages, and ladies fun races like spoon race, and 3-legged race, held throughout the day. Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals were presented to the winners by the chief guest Jagmohan Singh Begowal, PCS Chairman Nick Balwinder Singh, Sports clubs members, community leaders and generous sponsors.
Famous Punjabi singer Geeta Zaildar of Toronto sang a variety of heartwarming and nostalgic Punjabi folk songs making the audience dance to his music while others enjoyed the music sitting in their chairs like in a musical concert.
The event was organized by the PCS team Parmjot Singh Parmar, Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal, Manjeet Singh Bhalla, Bikram Sohi, Bhinder Pamma, Paul Lail, Jigerdeep Dhillon, Navtej Sohi, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Vick Singh, Gurpreet Sidhu, Gurlal Bhattal, Balwinder Girn, Mohinderjit Saini, Gurmit Dhillon, Jasbir Palia, Surinder Palia, Sukhmel Atwal, Amarjit Atwal, and Rajinder Singh Mago.
All the PCS Officials and several volunteers were part of the organizing committee and helped out wherever the help was needed.
The sound system was provided by DJ Miss Bhalla. Food was catered by Taste of India Brookfield WI.