Addressing reporters here on Monday, resident deputy collector C R Kharsan said, this was the second time that the administration was joining hands with several government and non-government organisations to celebrate the festival in a grand manner. It was the district administration's ninth year of organising garba on the ground, which can accommodate more than 2000 people.

To be inaugurated by State Petrochemicals Minister Vajubhai Vala, the festival will feature performances by students of the Faculty of Performing Arts, M S University on Tuesday, while folk artistes from Chhotaudepur will perform on Wednesday, followed by performances by Saputara Dangi tribals on September 24. Tribal artistes from Jesawada, Dahod would present dance and music programmes on the 25th. Dances by Bharatiya Lok Kala, Chorwad, West Zone Culture Centre (Maharashtra and Rajasthan) and other religious and social groups will follow therafter.

According to Kharsan, while the food festival would include a variety of Indian as well as international cuisine, members of the Vadodara Hotel Owners' Association would have 28 food stalls. Top priority would be given to maintaining hygiene, purity and quality of edibles. Even prices will be monitored, he said.

As many as 18 stalls would be put by the Tourism department, which will feature reasonably-priced artefacts from Kutch, Saurashtra, and Ahmedabad, said tourism officer Yamini Mehta. Leather, metal and clay items and clothes would also be put up, Mehta added.

Kharsan said all the artistes would also be honoured following the programmes, which are scheduled to begin at 9 pm and conclude by midnight.