Rathayatra In Niles, Michigan

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Saturday Sept. 27, at 11:00 AM

 

We will be holding our 2003 Jagannatha Rathayatra Festival in conjunction with the Annual Apple Festival Parade in Niles, Michigan.

 

Niles, Michigan is just across the state line from South Bend, Indiana.

 

This year's parade theme is Celebrate Our Heroes.

 

Our hero is Srila Prabhupada, of course. Srila Prabhupada arrived in New York City on September 17th, 1965, and to commemorate this grand event, we are building a float in the form of the S.S. Jaladuta, the ship on which Srila Prabhupada sailed from India to America. Riding on the float will be the Hare Krishna Center's Jagannatha Deities along with a murti of Srila Prabhupada.

 

The parade will take place in downtown Niles at Riverfront Park on Front Street, beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday Sept. 27th, proceeding down Broadway Street and ending at the Apple Festival grounds next to the airport (about two miles).

 

Free Prabhupada / Niles Rathayatra Tee-Shirts to the first 50 participants in the parade, so come early to claim one as a souvenir, and wear it proudly during the parade.

 

After the Rathayatra there will be a free vegetarian feast served back at Riverfront Park.

 

Volunteers & Donations Welcome

 

Services needed:

 

Float construction, decoration

 

Canopy & flag sewing

 

Feast preparation

 

Peanut & Raisin Prasadam preparation for distribution during the parade

 

Prabhupada's Peace Formula pamphlet printing for distribution with prasadam

 

Sound system preparation

 

Kirtan leaders during parade and after the feast

 

Book distributors, inspiring preachers

 

Flag and Banner bearers during the parade

 

Materials needed:

 

1/4 Plywood for float

 

Colorful cloth for canopy

 

Bhoga for prasadam distribution

 

A sound system

 

Bugles and Horns

 

Flags

 

Donations welcome.

 

Come Join The Adventure!

 

Sponsored by the Hare Krishna Center of Michiana

 

For more information contact Prema Bhakti dasa at (269) 687-9491 or at premabhakti@surfpure.com

 

Jaya! Jaya! Jaya Prabhupada!