Some people never give up hope.
That much has been made evident to Lorna Bolden through the Arts for Peace Festival.
The festival, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, has attracted families in a quiet way to a beautiful spot in town, she said.
Their continued support has shown that people will never give up their vision and their hope, said Bolden, one of the founding members of festival.
The theme for this year’s event is Bridges to Peace, and it will take place June 24 at the Leacock Museum, between noon and 5 p.m.
“(This year) we're going to be talking about people in the past that originally started this event,” Bolden said.
At the festival, John Pitts, one of the founding members, who died this year, will be honoured through a display showing pictures and words of poetry he has written, explained Lisa Gillette, event committee member.
“We're also giving away books from his private collection,” she added.
Other ways of celebrating arts and peace at the event include music, arts, performances and crafts.
“We have a wonderful folk band, Alex. They will come to play and that's a really special thing,” said Gillette. “We have local singers Darrin Davis and Danny Webster and The Little Otter also performing.”
Local musician Jim Harris will be playing the dulcimer and will have smaller dulcimers to show the kids.
The free family event also features food and water, which is given in reusable cups as part of the committee’s efforts to make the event as environmentally friendly as possible, Gillette noted.
Other popular features of include the maypole dance and the circle dance, which are activities everyone can participate in.
“We have a big bubble pad with equipment for kids to use and play on,” said Gillette, talking about the other activities featured during the day. “We have storytelling at the boathouse for the children. We also have children's yoga and tai chi.”
Those attending the festival are welcome to take a tour of the museum, too.
The importance of the event is echoed through its presence year-after-year, said Gillette.
“I think it's so important right now, because we need a way to deal with the stresses of life,” she said. “And I think it's pretty stressful right now.
“It's a way of expressing your feelings and getting through to each other through expression and communication,”
For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page.
