Frisco Mayor Mark Hill attended a Bonalu festival on Sunday, August 2, joining members of the city’s growing Telugu community for a Hindu celebration rooted in the Indian state of Telangana.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, two Indian cultural celebrations held in Frisco this month highlight the city’s growing Indian American community. According to City of Frisco demographic data, Asian residents now make up roughly one-third of the city’s population, while local employers have received thousands of H-1B visa approvals in recent years.
Bonalu is a Hindu festival originating in the Indian state of Telangana and is dedicated to the goddess Mahankali.
Animal sacrifice has historically been practiced during some Bonalu celebrations. In Hyderabad, symbolic offerings such as ash pumpkins have increasingly replaced animal sacrifices following court orders and enforcement efforts, although sacrifices involving goats, sheep, roosters, and hens have continued in some rural communities.
The Dallas Express observed hundreds of attendees at this past weekend’s event.
Telugu was the primary language used throughout much of the celebration, including music, announcements, and video presentations. According to the event’s Instagram page, portions of the program were conducted in Telugu.
The Dallas Express also observed numerous Hindu religious flags throughout the event, while only two American flags were visible.
Festival activities included attendees presenting food offerings before Hindu deity statues, with many participants lining up to take photographs and venerate the displays.
Frisco’s 2026 demographic report estimates the city’s population at 245,470. It lists 45.5% of residents as white, 33.6% as Asian, 10% as black or African American, 8.7% as two or more races, 2% as another race, 0.1% as American Indian and 0% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The report separately lists 10.4% as Hispanic of any race.
The event also prompted reactions on social media.
“This is Frisco and we need to purge the invaders. Just go home!! This is not your home or country,” X user Scott Hutson wrote.
This is Frisco and we need to purge the invaders. Just go home!! This is not your home or country. https://t.co/Vd69627TXS
— Scott Hutson (@ScottHutson3) August 3, 2026
The Dallas Express attempted to interview festival organizers and staff during the event, but they declined to comment.
Provided by Dallas Express
