Exhibit Registration — Reserve your booth today.
Please contact India Fest Exhibit Team before you reserve or pay for your exhibit. Call or email Milap Patel at 757-897-4041 or vendorsindiafest@gmail.com.
India Fest 2026
Cultural Registration
Rules
India Fest 2026 — Cultural Registration Rules
1. Age and Number of Performances per Participant
- •All participants must be aged 5 years or older.
- •Under 12-year-old may participate in only 1 performance.
- •12-year-old or older may participate in a maximum of 2 performances.
2. Registration Fees
- •A non-refundable registration fee of $7 per participant, or $75 per segment.
- •Payments must be made via Zelle to treasurer@aihr.org.
3. Minimum Number of Performers per Team and Performance Duration
- •Each dance performance must have a minimum of 4 participants.
- •Under 8 years old: maximum 4 minutes duration of the performance.
- •Each performance should not be more than 5 minutes.
4. Music Upload
- •All music must be uploaded online on the registration link, which will be shared separately (MP3 files only allowed).
- •All music uploads must be completed by September 10th, 2026.
- •No CD/Pen drive will be accepted.
5. No Food in Green Rooms
- •Choreographers, team leaders and parents shall ensure that participants do not bring any food or drinks into the Green Rooms.
6. Registration
- •Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, subject to approval by the Cultural Committee.
- •The first registration for a particular song will be given preference.
- •Please check and confirm that the song you wish to register has not already been registered.
- •Registration will close on August 15, 2026.
Event Details
Cultural Media 2026
Register to join the media team covering performances and cultural moments at INDIA FEST 2026.
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India Fest Volunteer Interest Form 2026
Let us know your interest in volunteering at INDIA FEST 2026. Volunteers help make the festival possible across setup, hospitality, performances, and more.
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India Fest Youth Volunteer Registration Form
Register youth volunteers to help make INDIA FEST 2026 possible across setup, hospitality, performances, and more.
Continue to Registration FormIndia Fest 2026
Talent Competitions
Number of Spots per Grade-Level Category
- •Grades K-2
- •Grades 3-5
- •Grades 6-8
Contest Rules
- •Walk-ins are NOT allowed on the day of the contest.
- •Contestants will have 20 minutes to click a picture ON SITE at the temple.
- •The photograph MUST be taken by the contestant WITHOUT any help or guidance from others, including parents/guardians.
- •The photograph should depict the grade category theme (topic/theme will be provided after registering).
- •Contestants must bring their own hand-held, data-enabled device (phone or tablet) to share the picture with the judge. No cameras.
- •The temple is not set up with Wi-Fi access — participants are required to make arrangements for their own data access.
- •All photographs should be given a TITLE.
- •Only ONE photograph should be submitted as your FINAL submission.
- •Photography contests WILL NOT judge techniques.
- •Once registered, further details will be sent via email.
Judging Criteria
- •Adherence/Appropriateness to Theme
- •Uniqueness of Concept
- •Originality
- •Clarity of Expression
- •Humor
- •Creativity
- •Innovative Means of Delivering Message
- •Entertainment Quality
Terms & Reservations
- •Photographs will be judged by independent judges. The judge's decision IS final.
- •Committee and judges reserve the right to cancel the contest, present no awards, or reduce the number of awards if an insufficient number of deserving entries are received.
- •India Fest reserves the right to utilize and publicize contestant names, competition entries, photos, and videos without restriction — including website, souvenir, and media releases.
Contact
- •Chaitali Shah — Miss.sheth@gmail.com
Logistics
- •The temple is not set up with Wi-Fi access. Participants are required to make arrangements for their own Wi-Fi access.
- •AIHR will provide index cards and stationery such as pens/pencils required for the event.
- •Award Ceremony: at India Fest on October 3rd.
Contest Rules
- •On the day of the contest, each participant will check in at least 60 minutes before the actual competition.
- •The topic will be given one hour before the competition.
- •Participants will be allowed to use their electronic devices to research the topic and come up with a speech no more than 3 minutes.
- •During the presentation in front of the judges, they are allowed to use one side of the index card to write down notes, quotes, facts, etc.
- •The judges will look for all the components expected in an effective public speech (facts, quotes, introduction, body and conclusion, body language and voice modulation, etc.).
- •Two winners will be selected from each age group and awarded trophies.
- •AIHR cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any entrant entering the competition or as a result of accepting any prize.
- •In all matters relating to a competition, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.
Judging Criteria
- •Originality and relevance of content.
- •Delivery of speech.
- •Presentation skills and audience engagement.
Contact
- •Rupal Master — Rupalmaster@gmail.com
Theme
- •Timeless Love Stories — the henna design must be based on this theme.
Rules & Regulations
- •The competition duration is 1 hour.
- •One henna cone will be provided to each participant. No additional cones will be provided.
- •Participants are not allowed to bring or use stencils, tracing paper, printed designs, or any pre-drawn outlines.
- •All artwork must be created freehand during the competition.
- •Participants must bring their own model for the henna application.
- •The use of mobile phones, reference images, or any outside assistance during the competition is not permitted.
- •Participants must complete their design within the allotted time. No extra time will be given.
- •Judging will be based on creativity, originality, neatness, detailing, overall presentation, and interpretation of the theme.
- •The judges' decision will be final and binding.
- •Participants age 16 and older only.
Contact
- •Henal Parikh — henal_shah9@yahoo.co.in
Rules & Regulations
- •Participants must remain seated while eating. Standing up is not allowed during the competition.
- •You may use only one hand and eat one puri at a time.
- •A $5 participation fee will be charged.
- •Each contestant will receive a plate of 25 pani puris and a bowl of pani.
- •Participants must eat each pani puri whole. Cracking or breaking the puris before eating is not allowed. Any participant who breaks a puri will be disqualified.
- •Once you have finished all 25 pani puris, the stuffing, and the bowl of pani, please raise your hand to notify the judges. Volunteers and judges will be present to determine who finishes first.
- •Any puri that is not completely eaten will not be counted.
Grade-Level Categories
- •Grades 3–5
- •Grades 6–8
- •Grades 9–12
Contest Rules
- •The essay topic will be emailed to registered participants after the registration period has closed.
- •Contestants will have 30 minutes to complete their essays.
- •Participants who arrive late will be allowed to write for the remaining time within the original 30-minute session.
- •Essays will be evaluated based on the depth and quality of their content, as well as the clarity, organization, and effectiveness of the writing.
- •Participants are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of the assigned topic and support their ideas with relevant facts, examples, or reasoning.
- •Participants should bring their own pencil. Extra pencils will be available if needed.
- •Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and all other electronic devices are not permitted during the competition.
- •All essays must be the participant's own original work. Any form of collaboration, copying, or use of unauthorized assistance will result in disqualification.
Contact
- •Chitra Mohan — bchitra.16@gmail.com
Spots per Age Category
- •Adults - Men: 8 entries
- •Adults - Women: 8 entries
- •Kids 13-17: 8 entries
- •Kids 10-12: 8 entries
- •Kids 7-9: 8 entries
Rules
- •All games in Table Tennis are singles.
- •All players are to bring their own rackets, balls will be provided.
- •The coin toss winner will decide the order of serving, receiving and the ends.
- •All matches in Round 1 are knockout rounds. The first player to score 21 points wins. If it is a tie at 20, the player gaining the lead of 2 points wins.
- •Round 2 will be played in the best of 3 matches' format. Each match will be a 11-point game.
- •Finals will be played in a best of 5 matches' format. Each match will be a 11-point game.
- •The first player to score 21 or 11 points wins. If it is a tie at 20 or 10, the player gaining the lead of 2 points wins.
- •Each player will serve for 5 points in a row, and then the serve is switched to the other player. If a game is at a score of 20-20/10-10, each player only serves 1 point at a time.
- •Games will be judged by independent referees. The referee's decision IS final.
- •Committee and Judges reserve the right to cancel the contest or to present no awards or to reduce the number of awards if an insufficient number of deserving entries are received.
- •India Fest reserves the right to utilize and publicize the contestant names, competition entries, photos and videos without any restriction – including website, Souvenir and media releases.
- •Waiver form needs to be signed.
- •Once registered, further details will be sent via email.
Contact
- •Umang Aggarwal — umang_a@hotmail.com
Rules
- •Mandatory $5 registration fee per contestant.
- •Walk-ins are NOT allowed on the day of the contest.
- •Age: 7 and up.
- •Contestants will be given 45 minutes to come up with choreography.
- •3 songs (approximately 1 min. long) will be given 1 hour before. Participants will have to choose one of the songs to perform on.
- •If participants arrive late, they will not be given extra time.
Judging Criteria
- •Timing
- •Expression
- •Authenticity
- •Simplicity: Clean basic steps
- •Enthusiasm and creativity
- •Coordination and use of stage
- •Overall Choreography
Terms & Reservations
- •Committee and Judges reserve the right to cancel the contest or to present no awards or to reduce the number of awards if an insufficient number of deserving entries are received.
- •India Fest reserves the right to utilize and publicize the contestant names, competition entries, photos and videos without any restriction — including website, Souvenir and media releases.
Contact
- •Chaitali Shah — Miss.sheth@gmail.com
Rules
- •Participants should arrive and register at least 30 minutes prior to the event.
- •Topic will be provided to registered participants on their email 1 week prior to the contest.
- •Bring your art supplies to the competition. In case you forget, we will have basic supplies - crayons.
- •We will provide everyone with ONE multimedia paper.
- •You will have 45 minutes to finish your masterpiece. Participants who arrive late will be allowed to write for the remaining time within the original 45-minute session.
- •Please put your age and roll number, that we will provide, on your artwork for our reference.
- •Artwork must be original. Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and all other electronic devices are not permitted during the competition.
- •Parents are not allowed in the competition area.
- •AIHR cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury, or disappointment suffered by any entrant entering the Competition or because of accepting any prize.
- •In all matters relating to a Competition, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final, and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.
Contact
- •Reenu Agarwal — reenuagarwal@gmail.com
Contest Rules
- •Please plan to be at the exam site for an hour from the assigned start time. If someone is late, we reserve the right to deny them entry.
- •There is an exam for each grade level for grades 2 through 9. Students should be taking an exam on the grade that they are currently enrolled in.
- •Students may bring their favorite pencil(s) but calculators are not allowed and neither are any electronic devices.
- •Scratch paper will be provided. Students may not leave with the exam or the scratch paper.
- •All students will be dismissed at the same time. Students may not leave the exam area until the allotted time for the exam has passed.
- •Note that some of the problems are challenging and even the very best students shouldn't be upset if they can't solve most of the problems.
Registration Deadline
- •The website for registration will close on Friday, September 11, 2026 at midnight eastern time.
Information You'll Need to Register
- •Parent/Guardian's first name, last name, email address, and phone number (mandatory).
- •Second Parent/Guardian's first name, last name, email address, and phone number (optional).
- •Student's first name and last name (mandatory).
- •Student's grade, 2 through 9 (mandatory).
Contact
- •Dan Viar — math.club.va@gmail.com
Requirements
- •All players MUST sign a waiver form before the participant is permitted to take part in the Badminton Competition.
Equipment
- •AIHR will provide shuttles for play.
- •Players to bring their own badminton rackets.
- •Players can't bring their own shuttles and can only play with shuttles provided.
Toss
- •Before play commences, a toss shall be conducted and the side winning the toss shall exercise the choice to serve or receive first, and to start play at one end of the court or the other.
Scoring System
- •Every time there is a serve, there is a point scored. The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
- •Each match is a knockout match of 21 points. A match shall be won by the side which first scores 21 points.
- •If the score becomes 20-all, the side which gains a two point lead first shall win that match.
- •If the score becomes 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point shall win that match.
Service
- •At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the server's score is even, the server serves from the right service court. When the server's score is odd, the server serves from the left service court.
- •If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate service court.
- •If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server. They serve from the appropriate service court — left if their score is odd, and right if it is even.
- •Whenever the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again (but from the other service court).
- •The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.
- •The serve must be hit in an upwards direction, with an underarm hitting action. A tennis-style serve is not allowed.
- •The server and the receiver shall stand within diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines of these service courts.
Faults
- •In service, it is a fault if the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, the server misses the shuttle, or it fails to pass over the net.
- •In play, it is a fault if the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, fails to pass over the net, touches the ceiling, touches the person or dress of a player, or is hit twice in succession by the same player.
- •In play, it is a fault if a player touches the net or its supports with their racket, invades an opponent's court over the net with their racket, or deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.
Lets
- •"Let" shall be called by the Referee ONLY to halt play.
- •It shall be a let if the server serves before the receiver is ready, if the shuttle is suspended on top during play, if during play the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, if the Referee is unable to make a decision, or if any unforeseen or accidental situation has occurred.
- •When a let occurs, the rally stops and is replayed, without changing the score or serving positions.
Referee
- •Organizers/coordinators can't play matches in the Badminton competition.
- •All decisions made by the referee are final.
Contact
- •Amish Shah — Amishbs1@gmail.com
Rules
- •Each participant needs to memorize their respective talent presentation, as reading through their notes will be a criterion for disqualification and reduction in points.
- •Maximum time limit for every performance will strictly be 3 minutes.
- •Participants for the instrumental category shall bring their own instrument.
- •Karaoke tracks need to be in mp3 format due to volatile internet connection, and to save time.
- •Parents are highly requested to arrive with the participants at least 40 minutes before their competition so they can coordinate with the DJ and keep their tracks ready.
- •Every participant can participate in both instrument and karaoke categories, however the registration will need to be done via different email addresses.
Information You'll Need to Register
- •Name
- •Phone Number
- •Email Address
- •Instrument or Singing?
- •Parent Name
Contact
- •Shubhra Dharni — s_dharni@yahoo.com
Registration & Categories
- •All players must complete their registration on or before August 12.
- •The tournament will feature four categories: Adult Singles, Adult Doubles, Youth Singles (Ages 11–17), and Kids Doubles (Ages 6–10).
- •Each category is limited to 20 entries. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Draw & Groups
- •Each category will be divided into four groups of five players or teams.
- •Group allocation will be conducted randomly.
- •Once the draw has been announced, no changes will be made except under exceptional circumstances.
Match Day Rules
- •Players must report at least 15 minutes before their scheduled match.
- •A player or team arriving more than 15 minutes late may forfeit the match by walkover.
- •The tournament organizer will provide the official tennis balls.
- •Players are responsible for bringing their own racquets and drinking water.
- •All participants compete at their own risk. Basic first aid facilities will be available at the venue.
- •The organizer reserves the right to suspend, delay, or reschedule matches due to adverse weather or unsafe court conditions.
Schedule
- •Each player or team will play four round-robin matches, all of which must be completed within two weeks.
- •To ensure the tournament stays on schedule, each player or team is expected to complete at least two matches per week.
- •The following week will be for Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals, and Finals.
Contact
- •Veeram Shetty — vshettyg@gmail.com
Tournament Format
- •The first 16 registered teams will participate in the tournament.
- •Teams will be divided into 4 groups of 4 teams each. Each team will play every other team in its group.
- •The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the Quarterfinals (QF).
- •If two or more teams are tied in the league standings, point difference will be used to determine the qualifying team. If still tied on point difference, the Head-to-Head (H2H) result between the tied teams will determine the qualifier.
- •The knockout stage will consist of Quarterfinals, Semifinals (SF), and the Final.
Match Format
- •League Stage: each match will consist of one game to 15 points.
- •Quarterfinals & Semifinals: matches will be best of 3 games, each game played to 11 points.
- •Final: best of 3 games, each game played to 15 points.
Schedule
- •League matches must be completed by August 31.
- •The tournament will follow a flex format, where teams are responsible for coordinating with each other and scheduling their own league and playoff matches.
- •The Final will be organized by the tournament committee. Final Date: September 12. Backup Date: September 13. Final Venue: to be announced later.
Equipment
- •Each team will be provided with 3 official pickleball balls for use during the tournament.
- •Teams are responsible for bringing the balls to their scheduled matches.
Playing Rules
- •Let serves are allowed. If a served ball touches the net and lands in the correct service court, play continues.
- •Honest line calls are expected from all players. Players must make "In" or "Out" calls immediately — a player cannot pause to think and then call a ball "Out."
- •If all four players are unsure whether a ball was in or out, the point will be replayed.
- •If the receiving team is not sure whether a ball was in or out, the ball will be considered "In."
- •Standard pickleball rules apply unless otherwise specified by the tournament organizers.
General Guidelines
- •Teams are expected to communicate promptly and complete all matches within the specified deadlines.
- •Failure to complete matches by the deadline may result in a decision by the tournament organizers.
- •The organizers reserve the right to make final decisions regarding scheduling, disputes, and unforeseen circumstances.
- •Above all, play fair, respect your opponents, and enjoy the tournament!
Contact
- •Ponniah Dhandapani — pickleballpoc@gmail.com
Contact
- •Abhay Bhardwaj — Abhaybhardwaj@gmail.com
Registration details coming soon. Check back closer to the event.
India Fest Chess Contest
- •View the chess tournament information for the India Fest Chess Contest.
- •Check the registration page for the section information, time control, playing schedule, and entry fees.
India Fest 2026
Vendor Registration
Vendor Registration Form
Reserve your booth as a vendor for INDIA FEST 2026
Event Details
Vendor Registration Form
Register as a vendor to reserve your booth at INDIA FEST 2026.
Continue to Registration Form