The sixth annual Grand Indo- American Fair — Mela 2008 — will take place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30 and 31, at Mercer County Park, accessible from Hughes Drive in Hamilton. If past festivals are any guide, thousands of people will be turning out to enjoy a celebration of India that offers a remarkable range of attractions. In fact, it is becoming an institution in Mercer County — a celebration of South Asian art, food, music and culture.

    Admission is $1.

    “The Indo-American Fair is about fostering friendship between the peoples of America and India and promoting understanding and appreciation of India’s rich crafts, culture and culinary arts with our American friends,” said Rajesh Anand of Princeton Junction, event chairman.

    As in previous years, the mela (“gathering”) will showcase Indian art and handicrafts, costume jewelry, traditional dresses, all manner of wares, Indian cuisine, and an array of Indian classical and popular performing arts from throughout the subcontinent — particularly its rich dance traditions.

    Coordinated by Arun Anand and presented by Vasanthi Subramanian, a distinguished Bharatyanatyam dancer and choreographer, the dance roster will include performances by leading Indian dance schools, including Creation Dance of Edison, Jhoom Dance School of Kendall Park, Kuchipudi Dance School of Kendall Park, Natraj Dance School of Edison, Prerna Dance School of West Windsor, Sura School of Dance of Hillsborough, and Varsha Rhythms of Plainsboro.

    Hidden Gems (a group of singers) from South Brunswick will also be singing many Bollywood songs.

    Musical attractions will include Bollywood star Kulraaj Anand, Radio and TV personalities Mamta Narula, Prenita Chandra, singer Raj Shah, and Sunny Singh, master of the dhol, the Indian double-sided barrel drum. Nonstop entertainment will be provided by popular Indian DJs. In addition, there will be many rides for the kids.

    Indian cuisine — vegetarian and non-vegetarian — is a major attraction at the mela. Participating will be a number of leading Indian restaurants, including Ganges from Princeton Junction, Hot Bread from Lawrenceville, Balaji Fusion from Newark, Abhiruchi from Edison, and Kanaha Foods from Virginia.

    Among the fashion attractions will be Libas Designs and Palika Bazars, selling popular “kurti” tops, and Neeta Puri, a Bollywood designer, who will be showcasing her latest line. Satinder Singh from Virginia will be selling contemporary paintings. Other attractions by various vendors including scarfs, stoles, handicrafts and bangles.

    Major sponsors of Mela 2008 include Verizon; Saturn of Bordentown; Open Road Honda of Edison; Devji Wealth Planning (DWJ), an affiliate of MetLife; Princeton HealthCare System; Western Union, and PNC Bank.

    The rain date for the festival is Monday, Sept. 1.

    The mela is being presented by Shirdi Sai Dham, based in Princeton Junction, a nonprofit religious and cultural association of devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba (1838-1918), one of India’s best known and most respected saints and spiritual teachers.

To contact the fair, call 609-275 1334 or visit http://www.indoamericanfair.com/.