Leicester will come alive this Easter weekend as it gets ready to host a three day spectacular event showcasing South Asian Culture.

The Leicester Asian Carnival takes place from 2nd - 4th April 2010 at Parklands, Oadby, Leicester. The event provides a unique shopping experience in the heart of the community by promoting and showcasing South Asian cultural traditions, modern cuisine, fashion, performing arts and much more!

Children can enjoy a range of activities including face painting and bouncy castle at the ‘kids korner’. Get your taste buds going at the enormous ‘food court’ sampling the best in exquisite Asian cuisine, shop ‘til you drop at our vibrant ‘bargain bazaar’ with exclusive bridal fashion, jewellery and accessories. Fancy a holiday? Then check out the Travel Market where a variety of experts from the travel industry will help you tailor make your perfect get away.

BBC Asian Network will be hosting the ‘entertainment stage’ where local talent will be showcasing their talent against the UK’s finest British Asian artists including Bollywood sensation Navin Kundra performing his hit Tere Liyeh, Punjabi prodigy  Jaz Dhami and many more!

Worried about your health? Then come along to Leicester Asian Carnival where the Nation’s Heart Charity – British Heart Foundation will be giving lots of free advice and information about how to live a healthy life. Advice will be available in Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and many other languages!

Leicester MP, Keith Vaz who will be opening the event, said:  “I am proud to be able to lend my support to such a wonderful event. This carnival will provide the perfect setting for Leicester’s many South Asian residents to celebrate their culture, traditions and food and to share this with the whole Leicester community. I hope all local residents make their way down to the venue over Easter weekend for what will be a fun-filled family day out.”

The Leicester Asian Carnival will take place the following days:

o Friday 2^nd April, 11am -7pm

o Saturday 3^rd April,  11am -7pm

o Sunday 4^th April, 11am – 6pm

· Venue: Parklands, Oadby, Leicester. For more information

· Log onto www.asiancarnival.co.uk for more information