OJAC invites families to Holi festival

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the end of Spring Break with a traditional Eastern holiday at the Old Jail Art Center’s monthly Family Festival this Saturday, March.

The museum will host the event, open to all ages but especially children, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Most activities will be set up in the Stasney Center for Education, but weather permitting, some will be outside. Friday is forecast to be very windy, but as of press time, Saturday is expected to be a typical spring day, with temperatures in the low 70s.

According to Old Jail education director Erin Whitmore, whole families are invited to come and explore the traditional spring “festival of love and color” with Indian-inspired food and music, lots of crafts, and traditional Indian games. Docents, junior docents, and other volunteers will help with activities.

“Embark on a gallery hunt for prizes, take a swing at our Rangoli- Piñata, and add a colorful pichkari to our Spring Wishes mural,” said Whitmore. “Families can create colorful lanterns and pinwheels and then taste a sample of mango lassi.”

In India, Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love. For many, it is considered to be a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. 

Saturday’s festival is free and open to the public.

Those with questions can contact the OJAC education department at 325-762-2936.