Bags of pigmented powder covered people, tables and the street until all the boxes of non-toxic, rainbow powder were dispersed. Then, the water guns emerged. Joyous attendees dodged streams of dyed water while a multitude of colors mixed with water on the asphalt.

Holi festivities floated throughout Otsego Avenue in San Francisco on March 23 as the neighborhood celebrated the Hindu festival of colors that welcomes spring. Residents of the Excelsior neighborhood attended a family-friendly event for the annual Holi festival, which happens across the world. 

The celebration that welcomes spring is expressed through throwing colored powder and colored water onto all who attend. 

Varsha Rajshekar reflected on one of her favorite parts of the event. “ . . . it brings so many people together. There’s a lot of inhibitions that are shared, people come in with the spirit of fun and enthusiasm,” Rajshekar said.

Activities and food options, tailored to be family-friendly and free for attendees, were distributed around the event, garnering ample interest from children and adults. 

According to organizer Preeti Ravaliya these booths are possible through donations by the community and outreach to resources like the Ingleside public library for book donations. She has sourced these activities and booths since the beginning of the annual event 3 years ago.

“If you’re someone who’s coming to an event, you want food, you want music, you want dancing,” Ravaliya said.

“It’s just a lot of joy,” said Archana Indran, an attendee of the event.