Vaisakhi celebrations saw more than 20,000 people mark the occasion over the weekend – after the event was cancelled for the last two years during the coronavirus pandemic.

The festival, which took place on Sunday 8 May, organised by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton alongside City of Wolverhampton Council, began with a parade from the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara to West Park.

Once at the park, there were speeches by religious leaders, and a variety of local organisations showcased their services with free food served throughout the day.

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, said: “It was great to see so many people visit West Park on Sunday and join in with the Vaisakhi celebrations. 

“The partnership between the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton and City of Wolverhampton Council, has once again worked really well in organising the festival, ensuring fun could be had by all – and the sun even made an appearance in the afternoon!

“We were really pleased to see the event return and had a great day celebrating the festival again after pandemic restrictions postponed plans for the last two years.”

Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar, the Sikh New Year festival.

Anyone who attended the festival can take a look through this flickr album to see if they can spot themselves in the crowd.