Dressed in a harvest-gold, damask-patterned sherwani – a coat-like lengthy garment common in India – President of the India Association of Long Island, Lalit Aery, zipped between tables as he greeted the 300 people dropping in their banquet to celebrate Holi.

Regardless of race, age or gender, festivals like Holi serve as a great way for people to learn about new cultures in a colorful, fun-filled mess.