South Dakota Mines Hosts 33rd Annual Diwali Celebration Featuring Food, Fireworks and Cultural Performances

The India Club at South Dakota Mines will host the 33rd annual celebration of Diwali Night, featuring cultural entertainment, food and fireworks show, on Saturday, Nov. 19. The popular annual event draws a large crowd and is always free and open to the public. A photo album from the 2021 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.

Mines' India Club begins Diwali celebrations with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, at 5 p.m. followed by cultural performances. Fireworks display across from Surbeck begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by an authentic Indian dinner. The food is prepared by Indian students enrolled at Mines, aided by the Indian diaspora of Rapid City. Henna hand-painting stations and photo booths will also be available.

Festival organizers are always looking to engage local businesses in sponsoring Diwali Night, as well as supporting other student-led events and community service projects. Mines extends thanks to these business and organizations for their support this year, Black Hills Regional Eye Hospital, Coco Cola, Pioneer Bank and Trust, Tropical Smoothie, Property Meld, Super 8 Motel, Black Hills Hindu Temple Committee, Masala Mart, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, The Rushmore, Everest Cuisine, Kathmandu Bistro, Himalayan Kitchen, and others. The India Club appreciates any and all support from the public; those who wish to donate can find a link here.