James Clark, director of community outreach for Better Family Life, said an estimated 7,000 people showed up over the course of the afternoon and evening for the 4th Annual Peacefest yesterday (Sun., Aug. 25).
The culminating event for their annual Family Week festivities was full of music, entertainment and fun but the underlying premise was made clear thanks to a visit by East St. Louis Native Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin.
He spoke about the importance of peace to the audience that gathered at Forest Park’s central field and against the gun violence that has impacted all neighborhoods and communities.
The event was a celebratory family experience where generations gathered for a communitywide picnic that – as its title suggests – promoted peace in the streets.
And while fun was the agenda, the intention wasn’t lost on the guests.
“We need more events like this,” said Tewanna Williams, who brought her two young sons out. “I feel like if we have a place where we can come out and get to know each other, we can come together and help fix our community. And if we can build a connection between our young people with stuff like this, it might not be so easy for them to kill each other.”
R&B singer Chante Moore closed out the festivities with selections from her new album “Moore is More” as well as her string of hits over the past twenty years, including “Love’s Taken Over,” “Alright” and her “Chante’s Got a Man” finale.
“This was wonderful,” a guest walked up and told BFL’s Malik and Deborah Ahmed as Moore’s performance was winding down. “I’ve had a wonderful time from start to finish –and this girl can sang!”
