Thousands attended the annual Khalsa Day Celebration and Parade in Kent on May 17, honoring the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.
The event featured traditional prayers, cultural performances, food, and the martial art of Gatka. A highlight was the Nagar Kirtan, a religious procession through city streets with participants singing sacred hymns, showcasing the Sikh community’s deep cultural and spiritual traditions.
Photo provided by Satwinder Kaur
The event was attended by a number of elected officials, including Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti; state Senator Manka Dhingra; state Reps. Chris Stearns, Mia Gregerson, Edwin Obras, and Janice Zahn; King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci; Kent Mayor Dana Ralph; Kent City Council President Satwinder Kaur and Councilmember Toni Troutner; Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and Councilmember Hanan Amer; and Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone and Councilmember James Alberson.
“It’s remarkable for Washingtonians of all ages to come together and recognize a community that has made significant contributions to the state for over a century,” said Kaur, the first Sikh woman elected to Kent’s City Council.
With more than 50,000 Sikhs living in Washington, many in cities like Kent and Renton, the Khalsa Day celebration has become an important public expression of faith, culture, and community engagement—offering both Sikhs and non-Sikhs a chance to connect, reflect, and learn.
Photo provided by Satwinder Kaur
Photo provided by Satwinder Kaur