Peace festival seeks to unite community
The eighth annual Seeds of Peace Community Festival, set for 9-11 a.m. Saturday near the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market at Broadway and Orange, will be more hands-on this year, the festival’s team leader says.
Themed “Welcome aboard Starship Peace … Activate your Acceptors,” it is expected to be the largest peace festival in the area to date, commemorating the International Day of Peace, as well as the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
The festival is hosted by Recognizing Everyone’s Gifts and Respecting Diversity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of understanding, appreciation, respect and fellowship, while celebrating the area’s richly diverse population.
“The festival provides people of all ages the opportunity to learn more about cultural diversity and focus on peace in the community,” said Tracy Freeman, the festival’s team leader.
The International Day of Peace was first established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its annual open session, a news release said. It was first observed in September 1982, but following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, it was officially set for Sept. 21 each year as an annual day of nonviolence and ceasefire.
R.E.G.A.R.D.’s mission involving the festival began eight years ago when the group felt it was necessary to commemorate the terrorist attacks on 9/11. From 2003 on, it became an incorporation of the International Day of Peace and the commemorative effort.
Over the years, the festival has evolved into a much larger project, focusing on what can be done in the here and now to promote peace throughout the community.
“We’re really interested in getting people in our community of all different cultures, ethnic backgrounds and ages to come together and celebrate what makes us unique,” Freeman said.
From 2004 to 2009, the festival included a variety of different events, but it relied heavily on a combination of speakers, music and prayer from diverse viewpoints and cultures. This year’s festival relies less on speakers and more on hands-on, peace-building activities.
“We have several very cool events planned for the festival. There will be opportunities to meet a local police officer, learn an Israeli folk dance, view works by local student artists and participate in a variety of diverse peace building activities,” Freeman said.
The event is free to the public, and families are encouraged to attend, as there will be numerous youth activities, including a “victory over bullying” craft sponsored by the Miss Victorious Pageant, a walk though meditation labyrinth and pop-up musical performances featuring hand bells and kazoos.
The festival will take place around the same time as the Farmers & Artisans Market, and musical entertainment will be provided at the market by local band OtherWise.
Although the festival takes up only a small portion of the day, R.E.G.A.R.D members hope their message lingers in the community and brings an overall sense of peace to the area.
“It is a festival, but it has a life after this weekend,” Freeman said.