Join us for a joyful event filled with music, dance, storytelling, inspiring speakers, art, activities for all ages, food for thought and action, and opportunities to connect with neighbors from around the world!

Sponsored by Tacoma Creates, the City of Tacoma, Parks Tacoma, and Mark A. Hammer & Associates.

International Day of Peace

Saturday, September 19th, 2026

10AM-3PM

Thea’s Park

405 Dock Street

Tacoma, WA

FULL SCHEDULE:

10:25am: Welcome & Sound of Shofar by John Lloyd & Frances Lorenz

10:33am: Tacoma Sister Cities flag Ceremony “Happy United Nations” Flag Bearers

10:45am: “Imagine” by John Lennon John Lloyd, Trumpet

10:48am: Proclamation from the City of Tacoma Maricres Castro

10:50am: Welcome from Tacoma Sister Cities’ President Drena Sellers

10:54am: “Light a Candle for Peace” Fawcett Elementary School Singers, and directed by Karla Stoermer

11am: Speaker: “Melting the Nuclear Freeze” Sean Arent

11:07am: Japanese Dance: M.A.I. Dance Studio Mai Suratos

11:12am: Speaker: “Invest in Peace: The Deposit is Due” Melannie D. Cunningham

11:20am: In Memoriam: “Without You” Lawrence Lambert & Frances Lorenz

11:25am: “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson performed by Miss Pierce County, Paris Moneh

11:29am: Speaker: “Disagreeing Better” Lisa Fruichantie

11:35am: Song “When We are We” by Rachelle LaNae Rachelle LaNae

11:38am: “Pink Skies, Early Mornings” by Tacoma Poet Laureate Mari Griffin

11:42am: Introduction, by founder of Greater Tacoma Peace Laureate Program Thomas Heavey, Sr.

11:44am: Keynote: “Compassion: The Passing of Peace through Community” Carol Mitchell

11:51am: A moment of silence for peace Rev. Matthew Brecht

11:56am: “Peace Train” with Jim Valley, Christina Brewer, Lawrence Lambert The Peacemakers. Rachelle LaNae, and John Lloyd, Director

NOON: Lunch & fun on festival grounds/thanks to sponsors/Tai Chi & Kid’s Zone, Emcee: Maricres Castro

12:15pm: Peace Circle Ritual in the Circle of Trees donated by Tacoma Tree Foundation, with Anjali Silva

12:30pm: On Stage: Tacoma Refugee Choir Orlando Morales

12:50pm: On Stage: Tai Chi Chinese Fan Demo, Shen XiaoYang & Song Mayo

1pm: On Stage: “Hybrid Roots” with Alejandro Fleites, “Sin Embargo” Cuban music, and Marisela Fleites, flamenco

1:15pm: Peace Circle Ritual in Circle of Trees in the park with Anjali Silva

2pm: Jim Valley Project: Jim Valley, Billie Odden, Pete Beringer & Russ Salton

also at 2pm: Peace Circle Ritual: Circle of Trees in the park with Anjali Silva

2:40pm: Children’s peace dove parade with Music: “I See You” by ZuluChoir (Everyone that wants to participate will Meet at Stage)

3pm: End of event