South Dakota Mines Hosts 35th Annual Diwali Celebration Featuring Food, Fireworks and Cultural Performances

The India Club at South Dakota Mines will host the 35th annual celebration of Diwali – Festival of Lights, featuring cultural entertainment, food and fireworks on Saturday, Nov.23 in the Beck Ballroom at the Surbeck Center. The popular event draws a large crowd and is always free and open to the public. A photo album from the 2023 celebration can be found here.

Diwali is one of the largest festivals in India, celebrating the “victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance” across the subcontinent. Traditionally, the festival is marked with elaborate fairs, food preparations, prayers and gift-giving. The night is lit up with fireworks and houses are decked out with lamps and rangolis, welcoming wealth and prosperity into the household.

South Dakota Mines’ India Club begins Diwali celebrations with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. The cultural performances begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by an authentic Indian dinner. The food is prepared by Indian students enrolled at Mines, aided by the local Indian community. Henna hand-painting stations and photo booths will also be available.

The university thanks the many local businesses and organizations, including the Black Hills Eye Clinic, Phase Technologies, Tropical Smoothie, Property Meld, Everest Cuisine, and Coca-Cola, for supporting and sponsoring the event this year. The India Club appreciates any and all support from the public; those who wish to donate can find a link here.