The 7th Annual Festival of India, hosted by the Indian Cultural Association (ICA), brought more than 20,000 people to the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, Maryland, this past weekend, cementing its status as the state’s largest Indian cultural gathering.

According to ICA, the festival has also been voted Best Festival in Howard County for the third year in a row in the 2025 Best of Howard readers’ poll conducted by The Baltimore Sun.

Designed as a family-friendly event, the festival offered an immersive celebration of India’s heritage through music, dance, food, art, and educational exhibits, fostering cultural exchange and community connection across Maryland. Highlights included live stage performances, authentic cuisine, a bustling marketplace, interactive activity zones, a health fair, and civic engagement booths.

Governor Wes Moore proclaimed September 20, 2025, as Indian American Heritage Day in Maryland to mark the occasion. 

The event also drew a wide range of elected officials, including Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Delegates Jessica Feldmark and Natalie Ziegler, Councilwoman Deb Jung, State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, and Board of Education members Meg Ricks and Dr. Linfeng Chen. Christina Poy, Director of the Governor’s Commission on Asian and South Asian Affairs, attended alongside several commissioners. Former County Executive Allan Kittleman and community leaders such as Cat Carter, John Handley, Jean Xu, and Lanlan Xu were also present, the statement said. 

The Embassy of India was represented by Anand Somani, Minister of Counselor Services, and his wife.

Cultural programming spanned India’s classical and folk traditions, featuring Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Odissi alongside Bhangra, Garba, Lavani, soulful ragas, Bollywood performances, and a vibrant Dhol-Tasha presentation by the Baltimore Marathi Mandal. Local musicians added to the celebration with live instrumental performances.

“We’re not just showcasing culture, we’re shaping community,” said Niti Srivastava, Executive Director of ICA. “Every dance, every dish, every story is a thread in the fabric of belonging. The festival bridges generations and fosters cross-cultural understanding. We designed this festival to be welcoming to all.”

“This festival is more than a celebration, it’s a movement,” added ICA President Sanjay Srivastava. “It’s a space where Indian American identity is celebrated, and where service is powered by empathy and compassion. Festival of India is a living archive of resilience, joy, and community power.”

This year’s festival was supported by sponsors including Maryland Humanities, Howard Community College, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, M&T Bank, VISAM Financials, Horizon Foundation, the Maryland 250 Commission, the Maryland State Arts Council, Patapsco Heritage, and Wegmans.

Organizers say planning is already underway for next year’s Festival of India, with expanded programming and deeper partnerships expected.

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