PICTURED: Biggest Sikh Vaisakhi celebration to date to light up Gravesham

Mayor of Gravesham John Caller will be attending the ceremony in Community Square between 11am and 12pm.

This is in preparation for Vaisakhi - which commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was established as the faith is practiced today - a week on Saturday (April 18), when Gravesend will be awash with colours for the celebrations.

Next Saturday will mark the town’s biggest Vaisakhi celebrations to date, with a procession through the town centre between 12pm and 12.30pm.

The route the parade will take

This will be followed by an open air party on the Guru Nanak sports field on Trinity Road, with a funfair, Sikh martial arts performance, kids’ activities, food stalls and Bhangra music.

Davinder Singh Bains, President of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, said: “This is a celebration not just for the Sikh community but one for the borough of Gravesham.”

CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council Gurvinder Sandher said: “We are all very proud of the positive contribution that the Sikh community has made to Gravesham going back over many years.

“The Vaisakhi celebrations have evolved from being just an event for the Sikh community to being one which brings together the diverse communities of the borough.

“Personally I am very pleased to be involved both in the organisation of this event and the Saint George’s Day celebrations a few days later.

The flag of St George - a celebration of Sikh and British cultures combined

“This is what makes Gravesham so unique.”

Saturday’s timetable of events kick off at 10.30am on Saturday with prayers and speeches at the sports field.

The main religious services will be held on Sunday morning.