35th Annual India Fest Brings food, dance and culture to Fort Myers

A vibrant celebration of Indian culture is coming to Southwest Florida this weekend.

The 35th annual India Fest will take place March 14 at the Alliance for the Arts, bringing a full day of performances, food, shopping and cultural experiences to the community.

Hosted by the India Association of Fort Myers, the festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. and invites visitors to explore the sights, sounds and traditions of India.

“It’s a flagship event,” president of the India Association Shaila Singh said. “We hold it to bring all people together and have them experience the culture and diversity. It started off small, but now it has become one of the biggest events.”

This year’s festival theme, “Royal India,” highlights the influence of historic Indian kingdoms and empires on the country’s art, architecture and traditions. The theme reflects centuries of regal heritage through fashion, jewelry, music and performances inspired by royal courts and palaces.

Guests will find a wide range of activities throughout the festival grounds. Vendors will offer handmade Indian clothing and jewelry, including sarees, lehengas, tunics and churidars.

Nisha Singh said choosing a first outfit can feel overwhelming but recommends starting with something simple.

“Figure out what format you want, like a skirt or a pant,” she said. “Then, check the material and comfort level. A good starting point is a churidar. It’s like a dress with leggings underneath and looks great on every body type.”

Food will also be a major highlight of the event. Suman Chaniyil will serve authentic dishes during the festival. Chaniyil owns several Indian restaurants in Southwest Florida, including Indian Breeze Cape Coral, and has participated in India Fest for about a decade.

“I love cooking, but I also love seeing the different kinds of art at the festival,” he said. “There are so many boutiques, too.” He will have four stalls filled with various different types of Indian food.

In addition to food and shopping, attendees can enjoy a henna beauty bar, a fashion show, live music, a DJ and dancing throughout the day.

Performers will showcase dance styles from different regions of India, including Kathak, Odissi, Bollywood, Bhangra and Gujarati Garba.

Pricilla Naik will perform Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form rooted in storytelling and devotion.

“It’s a religious dance,” Naik said. “It tells religious stories and shows devotion.”

Naik has been dancing for nine years and said sharing cultural traditions is especially meaningful to her as a first-generation Indian American in Southwest Florida.

“It’s important because we should share the culture and the knowledge, and get to know other cultures as well,” she said.

India Fest will be held at the Alliance for the Arts, located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.

General admission is $10. Reserved parking is $15 and VIP parking is $20. Tickets and additional information are available at the festival’s website.