First major event for community group.

Businesses in the Soho Road Business Improvement District area will be coming together to celebrate Diwali in a special outdoor celebration on Sunday 19th October from 2pm.

The newly formed Soho Road BID are in the final stages of a major community event for this year’s Festival of Light.

The BID is home to 560 predominantly independent businesses stretching for Holyhead Road to Soho Hill with an estimated local population of 250,000. BID manager Craig Bucky said, “We are very excited about running our first community event. It’s been a lot of hard work and determination and you’ll get to see a great celebration that the community can be proud of.”

BID Chairman Dipak Patel added, “The long term strategy is to make Soho Road an exciting place to work and live which in turn will create more visitors to the area.”

Families and children of all ages are in for a treat with local radio station Raaj FM hosting a roadshow and introducing bhangra acts such as singer Foji Gill, Gubhru Panjab De, Jin and Seetal, Many Khaira, B21 and Manny Kaira. Children from local schools will also be taking part in the celebratory day with a whole host of children’s activities and food stalls to enjoy as well.

The free concert on Soho Road precinct starts at 2pm and culminates with the official switching on of the Diwali Lights at 7pm.

Pictured: BID board members Rakesh Soni, Bob Balu with Vice Chair Jo Kinsella and BID Chairman Dipak Patel.