Historic Open Air Garba Transforms Oak Tree Road, Iselin, New Jersey, into a Vibrant Cultural Celebration, Drawing More Than 9,000 Visitors Over Two Nights

ISELIN, N.J., October 29, 2026 — Oak Tree Road became a lively outdoor celebration of Indian culture on Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, as Woodbridge Township and Mayor John E. McCormac, in association with Oak Tree Road Iselin businesses, presented the first Open Air Garba. The two-night event drew a reported combined attendance of more than 9,000 visitors from New Jersey and the tri-state region.

The roadway between Middlesex Avenue and Correja Avenue was closed to traffic for free Garba dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. each night, while participating shops welcomed customers from 5 to 11 p.m. Garba, a traditional group dance associated with the Hindu festival of Navratri, brought families and neighbors together in a festive street setting.

Singer Umesh Patel headlined Thursday and Rex Dsouza headlined Friday. Each performed live from a stage in the middle of the roadway. Jahanvi Mehta and Kim Kumari hosted both evenings as co-emcees, keeping the crowd moving between the performances, the nightly Aarti and the prize drawings. Decorative lights and marigold garlands added to the atmosphere.

A township and business community working together

Woodbridge Township arranged the street closure, police and security coverage, lighting, power and barricades. The business community coordinated performers, decorations, prizes and promotion. Four free public parking lots were available, with QR-code directions to help visitors reach the event.

Eleven media partners supported coverage: TV Asia, The Indian Eye News Group, Radio Zindagi, Woodbridge TV-35, Gujarat Darpan, India Today Global, News India Times, Masala Junction, EBC Radio, Aaj Tak and ITV Gold.

A passport to Oak Tree Road

A distinctive feature of the celebration was the Oak Tree Road Passport, created to connect festivalgoers with local merchants. Each participating business displayed a QR code that visitors could scan to collect a digital stamp. Each stamp provided an entry into that evening’s free prize drawing, with no purchase or app installation required.

Forty-nine businesses participated, and the program recorded more than 3,000 store visits across the two nights. Developed and operated by New Jersey-based DotCode Networks, the passport program encouraged attendees to explore jewelers, boutiques, restaurants, sweet shops and other local establishments.

Celebrating culture and supporting local commerce

Beyond its cultural significance, the celebration demonstrated the economic vitality of Oak Tree Road and the importance of supporting local businesses. With 49 businesses participating in the innovative passport program and more than 3,000 recorded store visits, the event encouraged visitors to discover local restaurants, jewelry stores, clothing boutiques and other establishments. The partnership highlighted how cultural programming can strengthen commercial districts while bringing communities together.

Prizes and winners

More than $12,000 in prizes were reported as awarded through live drawings. On Thursday, Golam Mowla won a 20-gram gold bar (reported value $2,800) from the Oak Tree Road Business Association; Monira Miah won a buy-one-get-one-free round-trip flight to Delhi or Mumbai from CitiAir Travel; and Shraddha, Isha Chada and Krishna Jaggannolla each won a $200 gift voucher from participating businesses including Payal Beauty Salon, Pari Beauty Salon, Gehena, Natraj Jewelers, Krishna Jewelers and Shagun Bridal.

On Friday, Rayhan Sorwar won a one-ounce gold coin (reported value $4,500). Riju Gupta, Shreya Patel and Sharvil Patel each won a three-day tour to Dubai, Istanbul or Sri Lanka from CitiAir Travel. Devansh Nayi and Veeren Kawathekar each won gift vouchers worth up to $650 from participating merchants including Sajda, Nazranaa, Indira Saree, Biba, Bombay Talk, Khasiyat, Bombay Spice, Sri Dosa Place, Kathiyawadi Kitchen and Shalimar.

Community leaders reflect on the celebration

“We thank Jahanvi Mehta, her committee, and all Oak Tree Iselin businesses for all their work in organizing this amazing event!” said Mayor John E. McCormac of Woodbridge Township.

Jahanvi Mehta played a central role in coordinating the celebration, working closely with Oak Tree Road businesses, participating merchants, performers and Woodbridge Township officials to bring the event to life.

“We wanted Navratri back on the street where our community shops, and the street answered. Every store stayed open late, every visitor had a chance to win, and the passport sent people into shops they might otherwise have walked past,” said Jahanvi Mehta, who organized the festival in conjunction with the Oak Tree Road businesses. “This was the businesses’ festival. Every one of them made it a success.”

The success of the two-night celebration demonstrated the potential for Oak Tree Road to serve as a premier destination for large-scale outdoor cultural events. Organizers expressed appreciation to Woodbridge Township, co-emcee Kim Kumari, participating businesses, sponsors, volunteers, performers and the thousands of visitors who helped make the celebration possible.

About the celebration

Open Air Garba on Oak Tree Road was presented by Woodbridge Township and Mayor John E. McCormac in association with Oak Tree Road Iselin businesses, in support of the Township’s Buy Local program. Admission was free on both evenings. For event updates, visit Instagram @oaktreeroad_iselinevents or the Oak Tree Road Iselin Events Facebook page. Passport information: oaktreeroadpassport.com.

PHOTO CAPTION :

OPEN AIR GARBA · OAK TREE ROAD, ISELIN · OCTOBER 22-23, 2026
Photo credit: Oak Tree Road Iselin Events. Free for editorial use with credit.

01-stage-crowd.jpg A headliner performs to the crowd from the stage set in the middle of Oak Tree Road.
02-aarti.jpg Nightly Aarti on Oak Tree Road preceded the prize drawings.
03-street-garba.jpg Garba on Oak Tree Road outside the stores, which stayed open until 11 PM.
04-mayor-on-stage.jpg Mayor John E. McCormac and Edison Mayor Sam Joshi are welcomed on stage by the organizers before the evening began.
05-mayor-with-owners.jpg Mayor McCormac with organizers and Oak Tree Road business owners.

Media contact

Jahanvi Mehta | Oak Tree Road Iselin Events
(732) 986-7081 | press@oaktreeroadpassport.com
Photos: Oak Tree Road Iselin Events. High-resolution files available on request.