Annual Family Peace Festival coming soon in Henrico

From disaster came an ambitious idea.

And from that idea came a festival that has steadily become one of the area's premier family events.

The Family Peace Festival will celebrate its sixth anniversary next Sunday when it opens at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Villa.

"I think there's still a big need for this," said co-Chairman Annette Khan.

Eight years ago, she was part of a group that came up with the idea of an interfaith get-together in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. A member of the Islamic Center of Virginia, she was looking for a way to promote better understanding of cultures and people foreign to many in central Virginia.

"This is such a diverse community," she said. "But how well do we know our neighbors? How well do you know the people in your neighborhood who are from other cultures?"

To answer those questions, the Islamic Center teamed with Bon Air United Methodist Church for a festival. It has since moved to St. Joseph's Villa and has taken advantage of organizing help and support from the Richmond Peace Education Center and the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond.

"That it's continued to grow and strengthen says a lot about the greater Richmond area," said Adria Scharf, director of the Richmond Peace Education Center. "What you choose to celebrate really matters."

The one-day festival will include lectures, entertainment and plenty of activities to keep kids and adults alike engaged throughout the day. This year's lineup includes performances from the Latin Ballet of Virginia, the Falun Dafa Chinese Dance Group and the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, among others.

Festival-goers also can make friendship rings, peace bracelets and other items of inclusiveness. "It's not just arts and crafts," Khan said. "It's arts and crafts along our theme."

She said about 500 people attended last year but she was hoping for more this year. "We're getting bigger and better," she said.

Contact Zachary Reid at (804) 775-8179 or .