The rain stopped just in time for crowds to celebrate Holi and Songkran at AAPI New Jersey’s annual 5K at Brookdale Park on April 26. The Color Run and Fun Walk, now in its fifth year, is a modern take on the Hindu festival of colors and Thai New Year.

I hit the pavement while capturing the essence of community, family bonding, and the importance of keeping cultural traditions going.

Joti Rekhi: This is probably the most colorful story that I’ve ever done. That’s me, Joti Rekhi, a video fellow with Central Desi — at AAPI New Jersey’s Color Run in celebration of Holi and Songkran. I’m not much of a runner, but I did push myself to do the 5K last year. This year, I’m dealing with a little bit of a back injury, so we’re going to stick to the Fun Walk. Come on!

Shuba Vasan, AAPI NJ Volunteer: Our lives are so busy, and we barely get time to spend with each other. This is a fun and healthy way to spend time with your family.

Rekhi: Now in its fifth year, the annual event, typically held in Bloomfield’s Brookdale Park, is a vibrant display of the Hindu festival of colors and the renewal of Thai New Year.

Vasan: When I was growing up, everybody was celebrating Holi. And it was a nonstop thing. In fact, that was the day we’d get up, put on our oldest pair of shoes and uniform that we could find, because when we used to play Holi, the color would stay for weeks. And we had so much fun that we would keep the dress without washing it, just to keep the colors for a while. And then when the next year came, we would wash the same thing and put it back on. So year after year, you’d have so many colors on your outfit, until it came to a point where you couldn’t wear it at all.

Rekhi: Naturally, I made some friends along the way. [Interviewing a runner] So, how was it for you?

Sonya, runner: I’m exhausted. This is my first time. Super fun. I love all the color! I came here with two of my friends. I think they are finished already. But you know, it’s fun!

Nicole Caragian, AAPI NJ Volunteer: We come every year to celebrate Songkran, which is the Thai New Year. And it’s a holiday where you use water to wash away the old year and to welcome in the new year. In New Jersey, we don’t know if it’s going to be 30 degrees or 90 degrees the day of our Songkran celebration. They used to squirt water at the racers, but we found it to be a little more friendly to have the foam machine now. In their hometowns, they celebrated Songkran with their communities. And so it’s incredible to be able to replicate that in our community in Montclair.

Rekhi: I did it! [Completing the run] I want to know how you’re honoring your cultural traditions. Let me know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, be sure to give myself and Central Desi a follow.

Joti Kaur Rekhi is the inaugural video reporting fellow at Central Desi. She is a veteran local news anchor and reporter who recently launched her own production company, Harjan.

May 23 - Eid Pop-Up at Silk Cafe
4 - 7 PM
Silk Cafe
120 McBride Ave
Paterson, NJ
Join the Muslim community for a special evening of shopping, food, and coffee in celebration of the upcoming Eid holiday. More details here.

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