Get ready to come together for peace at the 14th Annual Southwest Florida Peace Day Celebration Sept. 19 in Fort Myers.
Yabo Brothers
The International Day of Peace is celebrated worldwide each year on Sept. 21. For the past 13 years, SWFL Peace Day celebrations have been held in Lee County, first at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, then at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers from 2017 to 2019. Each year, the annual celebration has been supported and attended by thousands of people in our community. Food drives, pet drives and blood drives have helped hundreds of members of the community each year, thanks to the support of people who care about peace. SWFL Peace Day Celebration continues to be a community favorite event where the community comes together to celebrate all that’s right in the world, experiencing a single day of peace in SW Florida.
Faded Roots
This year, the growth of the SWFL Peace Day Celebration has inspired organizers to move the event to beautiful Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park in Fort Myers on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
With plenty of room for vendors and parking, play areas for children, volleyball and tennis courts, and even a dog park, Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park is ideal for Peace Day in the park to expand and include more local like-minded community, businesses and non-profit organizations. “Cultivating Peace, Helping It Grow has been our motto, and the cultivating has taken root, and will continue to grow and produce fruit,” organizers say.
The day will include kids’ activities, rides, local vendors, unique artisans, live art, blood drive and live entertainment.
Carling Witt
This year, they have bands playing like Faded Roots, Brian Markley & The Yabo Bros, David “Bear” Delli Paoli, Zakara, Family Time Music, Carling Witt, Luna Muni, feel good music from the ‘60s and more. Also this year, the Calendar Girls will be back to entertain. There will be belly dancers, a sword dancing show, kids sing-along and more.
David Delli Paoli
Other highlights include early morning yoga and qigong (continuing through the day), free introductory acupuncture, free reiki and free crystal bowl therapy and performances happening hourly and throughout the day at the newly-created “Oasis of Peace” zone … perfect for contemplating and experiencing inner peace.
Additionally, licensed mental health counselor Charity Godfrey and her team at Lifescape Counseling will be providing free counseling to anyone in need.
Zakara
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, yoga mat, or chair and enjoy a peace-filled day with friends and family alike.
A food drive is planned to benefit the local ACT Shelter and a pet food and supply drive will benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
“This year’s theme is Come Together and, after over a year apart, it will be a welcome relief to see the smiles on people’s faces and connect with like-minded people in the name of peace,” says Peace Day organizer Zachari VanDyne.
The 14th Annual SWFL Peace Day Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 19 is a pet-friendly event. Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park is located at 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers.
For information on becoming a vendor or getting involved with Peace Day, contact Zachari VanDyne, SWFL Peace Celebrations at swfl4peace@email.com, or call 239-560-5224.
Luna Muni
