BY MERRICK PARNELL for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 9/18/2026
The International Day of Peace is set for September 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Thea’s Park, marking the fifth year of the event and its largest expansion to date.
For the first time ever, organizers are hosting a full-day program, featuring music, dance, storytelling, speakers, art, and community activities.
“We wanted to have more offerings for families in this program, although there’s a lot for adults to gain from everything,” said Frances Lorenz of Tacoma Sister Cities. “We never had food. We never had booths. We never had anything like that. It was just: People came to the park, sat for an hour-long program, and left. So we have a lot going on this time. I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
The event aims to raise awareness about global peace, harmony, and the ongoing realities of international conflict.
“We kind of live in a bubble in the United States,” Lorenz said. “We have no idea of the violence that is going around worldwide, and we’re usually involved in some way. War is a terrible thing.”
She noted that building a culture of peace begins with individual relationships and daily choices.
“When we’re doing activities and being kind to one another, it gives us a wonderful, peaceful feeling,” Lorenz said. “If the world could be more internally peaceful, we would probably not have as much violence.”
The formal program begins at 10 a.m. with a prelude and welcome by Lorenz, followed by the blowing of the shofar by John Lloyd to open the “Happy United Nations” Flag Procession, led by Sister Cities flagbearers. Lloyd will also perform a trumpet solo version of John Lennon’s peace anthem, “Imagine.”
Maricres Castro of the Davao Sister City Committee will serve as emcee, introducing Drena Sellers, president of Tacoma Sister Cities, for the official welcome. The Fawcett Elementary School Singers, directed by Karla Stoermer, will perform “Light a Candle for Peace.”
The morning speaker series features Sean Arent on “Melting the Nuclear Freeze,” followed by an in memoriam performance of “Without You” from the musical Rent by Lawrence “Pearls” Lambert. Kwabi Amoah Forson will then offer a reflection on war casualties in 2026.
Cultural arts and community presentations will follow, including a traditional Japanese dance by Mai Suratos and M.A.I. Dance Studio, as well as readings by current Tacoma Poet Laureate Mari Griffin from her work, “Pink Skies, Early Mornings.”
Additional speakers include Lisa Fruichantie, executive director of the Na’ah Illahee Fund (Seminole Nation Oklahoma), who will present “Disagreeing Better,” and Melannie D. Cunningham presenting “Invest in Peace: The Deposit is Due.” Miss Pierce County 2026 Paris Moneh will perform Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.”
The main ceremony will highlight local leadership as Thomas Heavey Sr. introduces the Greater Tacoma Peace Laureate Program. Next, 2025 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate Carol C. Mitchell will deliver the keynote address, “Compassion: Passing Peace Through Community,” followed by an original song and guitar performance, “When We Are We,” by Rachelle LaNae.
After a solemn moment of silence led by the Reverend Matthew Brecht, the morning ceremony will close with a performance of Cat Stevens’s “Peace Train” by The Peacemakers, a group comprising Lambert, LaNae, Lloyd, Castro, Christina Brewer, and Jim Valley.
Afternoon activities include local food vendors, interactive exhibits such as the Peace Bus and the Schoolie Foundation, tai chi and qigong sessions, a Children’s Arts & Crafts Peace Zone, and Circle of Trees Peace Circles led by Anjali Silva at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2 p.m.
The afternoon stage lineup opens at 12:30 p.m. with the Tacoma Refugee Choir, directed by Orlando Morales.
“Our refugee choir represents so many areas of the world where people have been displaced because of war,” Lorenz said, emphasizing the group’s role in bringing an international perspective to the gathering.
Musical performances continue at 1 p.m. with Hybrid Roots, featuring flamenco dancer Marisela Fleites and musician Alejandro Fleites of Sin Embargo performing Cuban music. The Jim Valley Project takes the stage at 2 p.m., leading into the 2:40 p.m. Children’s Peace Parade, featuring giant dove puppets set to a recording of “I See You” by the South African Zulu Choir.
Lorenz commended the volunteers who are working behind the scenes to coordinate parking, sign making, puppet construction, and park logistics.
“They’re not the front people, but they do everything to make the festival happen,” Lorenz said. “We have a great team, so I’m really grateful to all of them. If people can stay for the whole time from 10 to 3, they’ll find something wonderful in everything that’s being offered.”
Tacoma Sister Cities promotes peace through citizen diplomacy, cultural education, and economic development, connecting Tacoma with 17 municipal governments across four continents.
For more info on the event, go to facebook.com/TacomaSisterCities.
