The fifth annual Ananda Mela Joyful Festival of India was July 26-27 at Redmond City Hall.

The all-ages event was organized by the Sammamish-based Vedic Cultural Center (VCC) and featured musical acts from around the world. There were also dance and cooking contests for attendees to participate in as well. For the younger set, there was a chess competition and science and technology project contests.

Magician Maritess Zurbano and a Brides of India Fashion Parade, featuring women dressed in traditional bridal dresses from various parts of India, also made their Ananda Mela debut.

The festival also featured an exhibit on Vedic (traditional Indian) village life, showing riverside physical setting and scenes of village activity.