The United Nations’ “International Day of Peace” has been celebrated in the South Robertson Community in Los Angeles since 2006.

Each year, on September 21st, people come together to rededicate their commitment to living a peaceful way of life all over the world. Over 60 countries celebrate “Peace Day”.

The Southern California Sikh community successfully organizes a “Peace Picnic” to celebrate “International Peace Day” each September.

This year’s “Peace Picnic” brought together the religiously rich neighborhood of South Robertson.

The afternoon started with free food donated by local restaurants and community members. People joyfully gathered to share meals and meet one another. During the main program, prayers of peace were offered by: Father Issak from St Mark Coptic Church, by Rev. Paula Mann from the Palms Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Rabbi Yona Bookstein blew the shofar to proclaim the greatness of God.

Master of Ceremonies, Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, skillfully blended humor, common sense, and spontaneity as he kept the flow going on the stage.

Some of the performers who came to share their gifts included: Folk singer and teacher of peace, Stephen Longfellow Fiske; Cantor Estherleon, a United Nations Ambassador, uplifted the crowd with her ethereal chants floating above beautiful stately western classical music; Jai Jagdesh enchanted us with a most beautiful and transfixing classical Indian dance; “Perfectly On Key” an R&B group with uplifting Christian messages for youth; and “The Ring Tones” contributed a calming choral number.

Activities for children on “Peace Day” included guided stories by KPFK’s Uncle Ruthie; and the story of how the Woodstock event was allowed to occur because a farmer chose to donate his land to the event - - read by Abigail Yasgur, the daughter of that Woodstock farmer.

To close the afternoon’s festivities, the Guru Ram Das Jatha performed a most appropriate number, “May The Long Time Sun Shine Upon You, All Love Surround You.”

Enjoy a video/photo montage from 2009:

Peace Picnic 2009 from SimranKaur Khalsa on Vimeo.

Music from: "The Power of Spirit" by Hari Bhajan Kaur