Solar-powered Peace fair in Cranford August 2

The Union County Peace Council is holding their 13th annual Peace and World Friendship Arts Fair in downtown Cranford on August 2, from 1:00 until 7:00 PM. The fair will be held at the Eastman Plaza Clock Park, located at 2 Eastman St. at North Avenue and is a family-friendly event. The dual theme of this year’s event is “Growing Peace” and “Diplomacy: the Language of Peace.” Parking is free.

There will be music, art, learning, and other activities. Once again, the fair will feature displays of artwork by Union County artists, music and dance performers, an opportunity to learn paper crane origami, children’s events, and representation by local organizations that foster peace, diplomacy, humanitarianism and an end to nuclear weapons. This year the Peace Fair will be a collection site for donations of tools, garden soil, seeds, plants, planters and other garden items for The Garden of Hope in Newark. The Garden is under construction by Newark Science and Sustainability, a non-profit educational organization, sasglocal.com. The public address system will be powered again by thin-film solar panels and a bicycle generator provided by GridLinkSystems.com.

The day will begin and end with a drum circle for peace so bring your drum or other percussion instrument. Vendors and exhibitors are welcome, $10 suggested donation for a 6 ft. x 8 ft. table space; $5 for non-profit group. Bring your own table. Rain date is August 9; in the event of inclement weather notification of postponement will be posted at http://unioncountypeacecouncil.tumblr.com/.

If you are a landscaper who would like to donate a truckload of top soil to the Newark garden project, or for more information, or if you are a musician who would like to perform, please contact Monica Shimkus by telephone at (908) 884-1262 or at unioncountypeacecouncil@gmail.com. Please visit our official website ucpeace.org.