Wear a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts, but do not expect them to stay that way when the powdered paint starts to fly, splatter and then smear.

All members of the campus community are invited to participate Saturday in celebration of the traditional Hindu festival Holi on Wilson Lawn at noon. Also called the Festival of Colors, the holiday is held in honor of spring.

Sophomore Sheena Walia, one of the main coordinators of this year’s Holi celebration, said the student group Masala-SACE will provide pizza, paint powder and, for the first time, T-shirts.

“This is a holiday I have celebrated my whole life,” Walia said. “It is one that everyone takes part in as well.”

Unlike Diwali, which the group honors annually in November with a dance and cultural showcase, students from all over campus participate in Holi.

“There is always an audience at events like Diwali — not at Holi,” Walia said.

Though participants tend to come out of the event stained various colors, Walia insists it is entirely worth turning the shower hot pink, purple and green.

“I would say it is really fun,” Wallia said, “because you are throwing colored powder and water balloons all over the place.”

Wallia made only one warning — those with lighter colored hair should probably cover it. Blond hair has a tendency to turn several different shades of color during the festivities.

Wallia encourages everyone to stop by Saturday.

“Typically, people walk by and join in. It is so much fun,” Wallia said. “And this year there will be even more color!”

—Sydney Wilmer can be reached at sydney.e.wilmer@vanderbilt.edu