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Photos and video: Festival of Joy on parade in Downtown Bloomington

WGLT | By Emily Bollinger
Published September 22, 2024 at 6:16 PM CDT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Community members dress in colorful cultural outfits and parade through Downtown Bloomington under cloudy skies
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Highlights from the Festival of Joy event Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Downtown Bloomington. It's hosted by the Hare Krishna community in Bloomington-Normal.
Emily Bollinger / WGLT

The 15th annual Festival of Joy dodged the rain and paraded through Downtown Bloomington on Sunday.

The event is meant to showcase Indian culture, cuisine and spirituality. It included riveting music, dance and interactive holistic living and cultural activities.

Festival of Joy included a re-enactment of the famous Ratha Yatra parade, also celebrated as the Festival of Chariots, rooted in ancient India’s bhakti or devotional tradition. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India. It's the world’s longest-running street festival.

Check out a photo gallery above from Sunday's event, which is hosted by the Hare Krishna community of Bloomington-Normal.

@wgltnews The 15th annual Festival of Joy returned to Bloomington-Normal this weekend. The event is meant to showcase Indian culture, cuisine and spirituality, and can be openly celebrated by anyone interested in participating. #FestivalOfJoy #HareKrishna ♬ original sound - WGLT - Bloomington-Normal NPR

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Emily Bollinger
Emily Bollinger is a digital producer at WGLT, focused on photography, videography and other digital content.
See stories by Emily Bollinger