The vibrant city of Coimbatore witnessed the grand inauguration of its much-awaited cultural extravaganza, the 18th edition of Coimbatore Vizha, on Friday. The eleven-day festival, embracing the theme 'Infinity', was officially launched by former minister P Senthil Balaji at the expansive Park Grounds near Codissia.
Vintage Beauties Take Center Stage
The festival opening featured a spectacular vintage car rally that captivated spectators with more than 30 classic automobiles dating from 1931 to 1980. The parade commenced at the historic Cosmopolitan Club in Race Course and concluded its journey at Lulu Mall in Lakshmi Mills. Among the notable participants was a 1960 American-made automatic gear car that added international flair to the procession.
SkyDance: A Visual Masterpiece
Following the automotive showcase, attention shifted to SkyDance, the city's largest-ever projection mapping spectacle. This visual marvel featured a specially constructed 150-foot-long facade that displayed an engaging video narrative highlighting Coimbatore's significance and heritage. The ten-minute aerial show has been scheduled for 6:30 pm daily throughout the eleven-day festival, with organizers confirming free admission for all visitors.
Diverse Events for All Interests
The festival's comprehensive programming includes over 150 distinct events designed to engage citizens from every walk of life. The Coimbatore Science and Technology Festival made an impressive debut with 37 industries showcasing more than 70 innovations.
Young participants made their mark through "A Rally for Resilience - Children's Rally", a walkathon focused on promoting awareness about children's rights and safety. The cultural segment was enriched by Natiya Isai Vizha, a celebration of classical dance and Carnatic music traditions.
The extensive event calendar features numerous attractions including:
- Art street exhibitions
- Science and technology fest
- Para sports and special sports competitions
- Coimbatore's Got Talent showcase
- Coimbatore Vizha Marathon
- Isai Mazhai musical events
- The Pitch entrepreneurship forum
- Vizha Veedhi cultural programs
- Vibes of Chettinad heritage celebration
- Coimbatore Festival of Speed - GRIT go-kart racing
- Autocross championship
- Car and bike stunt shows
- Motorbike rally
- Parampariya Vizha traditional arts
- Pattimandram debate forum
- PickleFest pickleball tournament
- Peranbu senior citizens celebration
- Green Up & Glow Up Coimbatore clean-up initiative
- E-waste collection drive
- Ruppe Ready financial literacy program for children
This diverse programming ensures that Coimbatore Vizha 2024 offers something meaningful for every resident and visitor, solidifying its position as one of Tamil Nadu's premier cultural festivals.
