BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London organises various events throughout the year to bring the local community together.
The annual Summer Fair attracts thousands to experience the vibrant culture and community spirit of an outdoor gathering, with a variety of fun activities, delicious food stalls, live performances, and much more.
This year, the event was held on the grounds opposite the Mandir over the sunny weekend of 13-14 July, where members of the local community and visitors from further afield gathered to enjoy two days of enjoyment and learning.
The event offered a wide range of activities, including exciting rides that brought smiles to the faces of young children, as well as a large community stage that featured live performances from a varied genre of arts, creating energy and showcasing talent from young and senior performers.
More than 20 organisations presented their respective products and services at the fair, engaging with the public at their respective stalls.
A Health Hub was also available, which provided guidance on healthier cooking from experts, as well as suggestions on healthy snacks. The juicing bikes proved to be particularly popular amongst attendees.
The annual fair is incomplete without appeasing the palate. The experience of food was elevated through an array of multi-cultural cuisines that satisfied every craving.
Shelly Jackson, a local resident, shared: “What a wonderful event! My two little girls had an amazing time and loved the henna decorations and the fabulous performances by the young children. The food was delicious, and we are already looking forward to coming along to experience this all again at Diwali later this year.”
Pratik Patel, one of the lead volunteers who helped organise the Summer Fair, explained, “It was wonderful to welcome so many people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages to enjoy a truly exciting family day out. A special thank you to our dedicated volunteers as well as local businesses for their incredible support. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another unforgettable Summer Fair.”