Celebrate Peace in the Park event in Hastings

Historic City News was informed that “Peace in the Park”, a family friendly day of special activities and celebrations, will be held Saturday, September 21 at Al Wilke Field on Main Street in downtown Hastings.

Pie in the Sky has sponsored the formation of a Human Peace Sign for the past two years, but this year, they are joined by two additional local non-profit groups, “St Augustine Initiative for Compassion”, and “Unity and Peace St Augustine”, to hold the event on the International Day of Peace.

“Last year was a big day for peace in our small town, but this year is going to be even bigger and better,” organizer Malea Guiriba told reporters. “It’s an amazing opportunity for folks from all over the county and beyond to come together and celebrate the notion of peace.”

Admission is free, courtesy of sponsorships from Island Doctors, Amistad, Bob’s Books, Charlyne Eshleman, Herbie Wiles Insurance, and Starry Night Creations; with all remaining funds donated to Pie in the Sky.

The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. when a huge pot of Peace Soup is put on to cook.

“If you are attending, please bring an ingredient to be added to the pot by 11:00 a.m.,” Guiriba said. “Suggested items are grains like rice or barley, beans, pastas, or vegetables already cleaned and chopped, or canned, and ready to add to the pot.”

While the soup is cooking, there will be games; pinwheels for children, face painting, a “Peace Pole”, and a peaceful, compassionate city will be built out of cardboard boxes. Local musicians Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizards will be playing live music beginning at 12:00 noon, and the Blue Lotus Belly Dancers will also perform.

Soup will be served with cornbread donated by Johnnie and Beanie’s. The human peace sign will be formed at 1:00 p.m. and will be photographed from the air by Walter Coker. Tables will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring their own chairs.

The St Augustine Initiative for Compassion is undertaking the process for having St Augustine named the first “Compassionate City” in Florida. “Peace in the Park” will mark the beginning of a month of compassionate activities as part of that effort. For more on that process, visit www.compassionstaugustine.org