The Herricks Indian community celebrated its third annual Navratri Festival in full force. Organized by the Herricks Indo-US Community leadership, the colorful folk dance display spanned from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6,

Each day more than 800 people from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties packed the Herricks High School gym and that of the Herricks Community Center.

Whether one was there to dance or just to watch, all were dazzled by the music provided by Medley Entertainment, led by the energetic Ritesh Rathod. The attendees watched professional folk dance performers, including one that had claimed first prize in this year's annual FOGANA competition.

"The response is overwhelming. We are attracting more and more people each year and they come from farther and farther away," commented Dr. Rajesh Patel, past president and cofounder of the Herricks Indo-US Community organization. Numerous sponsors, mainly the Surti Patel Samaj of Queens and Long Island, allowed free admission for all attendees. This yearly event has become very successful that planning for next year's Navratri Festival has already begun.