TAMPA BAY, SOUTH FLORIDA, ORLANDO, JACKSONVILLE, FORT MYERS, NAPLES CELEBRATE REPUBLIC DAY

SOUTH FLORIDA
The Indian Regional and Cultural Center (IRCC) will commemorate Anand Bazaar – Lohri/Republic Day/Kite Flying all rolled into one – from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. Venue is Miramar Regional Park (corporate shelter), 16801 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar. Kites and food will be available for sale. Youth club elections will also be held. For information on the event, e-mail [email protected] or visit https://irccflorida.org/

TAMPA BAY AREA
The Federation of India Associations (FIA) of Tampa Bay will hold India’s 76th Republic Day celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26, at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. The lively and free event attracting all age groups from the greater Tampa Bay region includes cultural programs, competitions in art, essay writing, chess, patriotic dress, music, rangoli and cooking; blood drive; food booths, clothing and jewelry stalls; India and U.S. flag hoisting; high school scholarships presentation; member organizations exhibits. For details to register and participate, visit http://www.fiatampabay.org/

ORLANDO
Indian American Business Association and Chamber will hold India Fair to celebrate Republic Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Children’s Safety Village, 910 Fairvilla Road, Orlando. During the free and family-friendly event, there will be a display of culture and heritage, flag hoisting, music and dance. For information, call Yogesh at (321) 271-1217 or visit www.iabausa.com

CASSELBERRY
Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry, will honor India Republic Day in the community hall from noon on Jan. 26. For information, visit https://orlandohindutemple.org/

FORT MYERS/NAPLES
India Association of Fort Myers will celebrate Republic Day on Jan. 26 at Lakes Park, Pavilion D1, 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers. For more details, email [email protected] or visit https://www.iaftmyers.org/

India Association of Naples will hold Republic Day picnic from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 12 at Vineyards Park (Pavilion #1), 6231 Arbor Blvd., W., Naples. At the free event, IAN will provide coffee, tea, water and chips. Various activities are planned. For information, email [email protected]

JACKSONVILLE
Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville will celebrate India Day from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26. Venue to be announced. Children can showcase a kit, dance or group song. For information, email [email protected]

FLORIDA CELEBRATES LOHRI/PONGAL/MAKAR SANKRANT!

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/SEFFNER
JAN. 11: UTTARAYAN; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; Jennings Middle School, 9325 Governors Run Drive, Seffner; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; lunch provided; Indian kite and thread available for purchase; free for GSTB members, $30 non-members; for information, call GSTB President Bhavik Modi at (813) 557-4555.

JAN. 12-14: LOHRI/MAKAR SANKRANT; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; 6 p.m.; for information, call (813) 221-4482 or visit www.sanatanmandirtampa.org

JAN. 19: LOHRI; organized by Punjabi Virsa Tampa; $50 adult, $25 for kids ages 6 and 13, free for kids 5 years and under; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information call Binder at (813) 956-2411.

ORLANDO/GROVELAND/CASSELBERRY
JAN. 13-14: Lohri bonfire at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13; next day, Makar Sankranti; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 7 p.m.; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.orlandohindutemple.org

JAN. 12: UTTARAYAN; organized by Gujarati Society of Central Florida; Pine Lake Retreat, 21725 County Road 33, Groveland; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; children’s activities/playground; food available; free for members, $25 non-members; for information, call (407) 600-0971.

JACKSONVILLE
JAN. 12: UTTARAYAN PICNIC; planned by Gujarati Samaj of North East Florida; 10 a.m.; Jacksonville Equestrian Center, 13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville; $10 per person; RSVP required; kites/thread and food will be available for purchase; for information, call (224) 622-0655 or visit www.gsnef.org/events.aspx to buy tickets.

SOUTH FLORIDA (POMPANO BEACH, MIAMI, DAVIE)
MIAMI – JAN. 11: UTTARAYAN; organized by Indian Cultural Club of South Florida; Ron Ehmann Park, 10995 S.W. 97th Ave., Miami; 1 to 4:30 p.m.; free; kites/kids for sale, for information, RSVP to [email protected] or visit www.iccosf.org

DAVIE – JAN. 18: THAI PONGAL; organized by Ilanka Thamil Manram of South Florida; Family Farms, 14950 SW 14th St., Davie; 10:30 a.m. breakfast, followed by program of banana leaf meal, farm animals for kids, Pongal games, tractor ride, Kumi dance; for information, visit https://thamilmanram.com

POMPANO BEACH – JAN. 25: LOHRI MELA; organized by Punjabi Association of South Florida; Sample-McDougald House, 450 N.E. 10th St., Pompano Beach; 5 to 10 p.m.; $5 tickets online, $8 at gate; for information, call (954) 649-2938.