Roghi Ebrahimi, left, and Navid Sabti, right, both of Orono, perform a traditional Azerbaijani dance March 24 during a Novruz celebration at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough. Novruz commemorates the spring equinox and marks the start of a new year, and is celebrated throughout central Asia.

Navid Sabti, 21, of Orono, carries away a plate of food from the pot luck line at a Novruz party on March 24 at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough. About 250 people turned out to celebrate the holiday, which originated in Iran but has spread throughout much of central Asia.

Farahmand Igni, right, of Portland, holds a platter while another volunteer doles out a heap of pilaf during a Novruz party at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough on March 24.

A woman and child fill their plates during a Novruz celebration at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough on March 24, 2012.

Tarlon Ahmadov, left, and Roghi Ebrahimi, right, dance during a Novruz celebration at Scarborough's Camp Ketcha on March 24. Ahmadov said many communities in Maine – Azerbaijanis, Iranians, Turks, Afghans, Kurds and other central Asians – have generally celebrated Novruz individually. This year, all the communities got together for one large celebration in Scarborough. 

Roghi Ebrahimi begins a traditional solo dance with a hand drum, called a Qaval, during a Novruz celebration on March 24 at Scarborough's Camp Ketcha.

Celebrants dance during a Novruz party at Scarborough's Camp Ketcha on March 24, 2012.