For the City Times

Experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of India at the 28th annual Festival of India, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Stevens Point Area Senior High School.

The festival is presented by SHAMA Inc., to raise funds to support education for India’s women and children, with proceeds benefiting programs that empower the impoverished in India.

The day will include henna painting, an Indian bazaar of clothes, arts and crafts, games, Indian cuisine and a variety of workshops from 3-6:30 p.m., including yoga, Indian cooking, spiritual traditions, film, music and dancing. Stage performances will be held from 7-8:45 p.m., offering professional Indian music and dance groups. These activities are offered free of charge.

A buffet dinner will be served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The menu includes tandoori chicken tikka, chana masala (chickpeas), basmati rice biryani, naan and papad (flatbreads), aloo sabzi (potato curry), nav korma (mixed vegetable curry) rayta (cucumber salad), chutney and achar (pickles), mango ice cream and beverages.

Tickets for the dinner are $14 for adults, $9 for college and high school students with ID and children ages 6-12. Children age five and under eat for free. Advance tickets may be purchased in Stevens Point at the Stevens Point Area Co-op, 633 Second St., and Kindred Spirit Books, 1028 Main St.; as well as at the AmericInn, 1501 American Dr., Plover; Food Tree, 1759 Greenfield Ave., Wisconsin Rapids; and Days Inn, 4700 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau. Online tickets are available through PayPal. Tickets at the door are an additional $2.

Sponsors from UW-Stevens Point include the Diversity and College Access Office, College of Fine Arts and Communication, South Asia Society and Yoga Meditation Club. For more information, go online at www.shamainc.org or contact UW-Stevens Point Diversity and College Access at 715-346-3829.