The local Sammamish community will celebrate the Festival of Ridvan at 10 a.m. Sunday at Eastside Baha’i Center in Bellevue.

The event, which is open to the public, celebrates the time from April 21 to May 2, the holiest period of the Baha’i calendar, commemorating the Baha’i Founder’s 1863 declaration as God’s messenger for today.

Baha’u’llah declared His mission to a small group of followers on an island on the Tigris river in Baghdad where He pitched His tent for 12 days. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days of Ridvan are considered holy days on which Baha’is suspend work.

The Bellevue Baha’i center is located at 16007 N.E. Eighth St.