The Mission of the annual Family Peace Festival is to provide an opportunity for children, youth, and adults to gather in celebration of peace and diversity. It is our hope that the Festival will foster our community and offer opportunities to:
The seeds for the Family Peace Festival were planted during a candlelight vigil following the tragic events of 9/11. Muslims wondered what repercussions might befall them as an aftermath of that tragedy. In the dusk, Muslims and others gathered for a candlelight service on the front lawn of the Islamic Center. They were surprised and grateful when a candlelight procession of members from a neighboring church, Bon Air United Methodist Church, joined the vigil. Those in the procession had come to provide comfort and to pray for those lost in the tragedy of 9/11. This was one of many such stories of extraordinary courage and love following 9/11, and it was to grow into Richmond's "answer" to 9/11.
During the following years, the two houses of worship continued to talk. Then, in the summer of 2004, members of the Bon Air United Methodist Church contacted members of the Islamic Center of Virginia and proposed that they join with other faith-based organizations to hold an event that would foster peace in the Richmond area. The Family Peace Festival was born.
The Family Peace Festival is held as close as possible to The International Day of Peace, September 21, as declared by the United Nations. In some years, the date of the festival is adjusted to accommodate religious holidays.
The Festival is FREE and family-safe. Its recurring theme is "Peace Begins at Home".
An important component of the Family Peace Festival has been and will continue to be an interfaith worship service. It has included speakers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha'i, Hindu, and Sikh communities. In addition, the tragedy of 9/11 is remembered with a moment of silence and the release of doves.
Many faith-based and non-profit organizations that serve our community are at the Family Peace Festival, including American Red Cross, Asian American Society of Central Virginia, Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). The festive day also includes arts & crafts and games for the children, and a variety of ethnic and international food, as well as arts and crafts vendors.
To volunteer to be part of the Planning Committee for publicity, worship, children's activities, vending or fundraising volunteer group
To make a monetary contribution, please go to Richmond Peace Education Center Donation form; fill in "Family Peace Festival" in DESIGNATION box. OR send a check to: Family Peace Festival, RPEC (Richmond Peace Education Center), 400 W. 32nd St., Richmond, VA 23225. Make the check out to RPEC, and write "FPF" in the memo portion. The fiduciary agent for the Family Peace Festival is the Richmond Peace Education Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.
Non-profit organizations, food vendors, artists, and crafters can exhibit at the Family Peace Festival. please click CONTACT us for more information. See the list on OUR COMMUNITY