Seeds of Peace Festival, Food Day Bash set for this weekend

The annual Seeds of Peace festival is set for 9-11 a.m. Saturday on the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail near the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Grow Together for Peace: Cultivate Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All.”

The local nonprofit organization Recognizing Everyone’s Gifts And Respecting Diversity, or R.E.G.A.R.D., sponsors the free celebration, which is held in conjunction with the International Day of Peace. The festival, which promotes peace within families, neighborhoods, the city and the greater central Arkansas community, is expected to be one of the largest, a news release said.

The festival provides people of all ages the opportunity to learn more about cultural diversity and focus on peace in the community. This year’s festival will feature activities that include music, dance, fitness, crafts and peace-building and educational activities sponsored and led by local civic and community-based organizations.

This year’s activities include a Karaoke Booth, featuring student stars from the Hot Springs Secondary School Thespian Group; art from Lake Hamilton School District students; “Fall for Peace” with Quapaw Community Center; hula hoop and dance lessons with the Hot Springs Junior High Student Council; peace cranes with the Sister City Foundation; and opportunities to grow together for peace with organizations like the YMCA, NAACP, and Family Care Chiropractic, the release said.

Participants will be able to take part in craft projects, music and dance demonstrations, and access information and opportunities to “cultivate respect, safety, and dignity” for growing peace in the community.

Entertainment will be provided by Otherwise on the farmers market stage.

Also on Saturday is Garland County’s annual Food Day Bash, sponsored by Levi Hospital, from 8 a.m. to noon. Food Day is a national celebration that began in 2010 as a way to promote healthy, affordable and sustainable eating, the release said. Scheduled events include children’s activities and games, healthy snack demonstrations, nutrition educational sessions, and SNAP at the Market. People who complete all nutritional educational stations will receive great giveaways and prizes.

Admission is free for both events.

Call Tracy Freeman at 501655-0567 for more information about Seeds of Peace, or call Alisha Chatman at 501-622-3325 or email achatman@levihospital.com for information about the Food Day Bash.