Berks Unity Solution Programmed Activities
Festival Date is: May 2rd, 2009 1:00pm-7:00pm
Location: City Park: Constitution Way and Hill Rd. Reading, PA

"Blessed are the Peacemakers" parade: 10:00am -11:00am
....this is a adjunct to the Berks Unity Festival honoring models of positive non-violence, such as (alphabetically):
the Chief Joseph; Dalai Lama; Jesus Christ; Mahatma Gandi; Martin Luther King Jr; John Lennon; Mother Teresa; Rigoberta Menchu; Albert Schweitzer; etc.

Click here for Parade route

Festival Details:

Entertainment will be in the form of scheduled shows throughout the day. This will include a variety of ethnic dancers and musicians. Additional entertainment will also be presented. Also in attendance will be a variety of Social Service agencies to share information and activities. The Opening Ceremony will be in the form of a multi-spiritual blessing.

Groups may bring their own tables or rent tables for $5/table. Cultural groups supplying food samples are not required to pay the fee for their food table. Please reserve your tables as soon as possible so we may accommodate everyone.

Anyone who wishes to sell merchandise is welcome under the following conditions: Materials must be relevant to our theme of non-violence and unity. Organizations which service the community may keep their profits or donate them to the Berks Unity Solution. Anyone else who wishes to sell merchandise is required to pay an additional fee of $30 for this opportunity and may also donate proceeds back to the Berks Unity Solution if they so choose.

Cultural groups are asked to have a teaching table which would include such things as historic information, current information, and/or cultural objects of interest. The latter is highly recommended. It would also be beneficial to display ethnic wear. These groups are also asked to, if possible, share samples of ethnic foods with the public.

All other groups and organizations are asked to share information relative to their organization so to educate the public to their services and opportunities. These groups are also asked contribute something extra and fun, if possible, for the public to enjoy. It would be wonderful if most events were free. However if you choose to do so, you may ask for donations or charge a small fee to help cover your costs. The following list is suggestive of ideas, but not limited to these ideas. Please feel free to contact us for additional details.

face painting                                                       Story telling
sing-a-longs                                                       Character costume
snacks                                                               Popcorn machine
puppet show                                                      Cotton candy machine
games                                                                Helium tank for balloons
instruments for children to play (drums etc.)    Balloons
arts and crafts for children                                Flags/banners
shows                                                                puppet show
bake sale items                                                 Clowns
Music                                                               ..whatever you can imagine (keeping fun and non-violence as a theme)


Please send the information to: Berks Unity Solution:   fourwindsflying@msn.com

Name of group/organizaion:
Contact person:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Our group will contribute the following:

***All ideas and sale merchandise must be approved by The Berks Unity Solution.

General Information about our Event

Causes of Violence: unemployment                lack of communication
                                    prejudice                        drugs and alcohol
                                    boredom                         greed
                                    environment                   dispute

Objectives:    Assist in eliminating the causes of violence
                        A positive approach to non-violence
                        Unify the community
                        Educate the public to assistive organizations
                        Open communication between organizations for non-violence
                        Promote a sense of belonging
                        Entertainment and visual assembly

Invitation is open to the following organizations who in some way address the proponents of violence

.
Individual Organizational Strategies

Government officials:        
You are invited to join fair. This is an opportunity to show the public your stand on non-violence. However, this is by no means a political agenda. Your appearance is greatly needed to assure the people that their government is behind them. There will be an opening ceremony at the beginning of the fair. You will have a chance to say a few words in the name of peace.

Law enforcement:           
Police and crime watch participants are a crucial part of the parade and need to be visually identifiable. The costume character, McGruff would be extremely beneficial to entertain the children and pull them into concept behind the fair. It would be nice to give children the McGruff coloring and activity book and the adults the “Crime Prevention: What you can do” booklet. Information concerning the VIPER program and other current initiatives would be very beneficial. Crime Watch members should identify the area which they protect.

Domestic groups:               
Domestic groups are strongly urged to participate. This is an opportunity to educate the public about your group. You are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your group. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information. Having counselors present would be helpful.

Spiritual groups:             
Spiritual groups are encouraged to share the notion of mutual respect and religious tolerance. They are also encouraged to hang signs or banners identifying their spiritual affiliation. At the fair, your groups are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your organization. Religious organizations are encouraged to share information pertaining to their group and contact information.

Ethnic groups:       
At the fair, ethnic groups are encouraged to share the notion of mutual respect and racial tolerance. They are also encouraged to hang signs or banners identifying their ethnicity.

At the fair, the Hispanic community is encouraged to integrate the various subcultures and hang equally sized flags appropriate for each subculture. If possible, it would be nice to have the costume character such as Dora the Explorer.

Specialty groups:            
Specialty groups are asked to participate. You may carry signs, flags and banners promoting peace, however they must be non-radical and non-political in nature. Any visual images you can use to identify your group would be helpful. At the fair, you are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your group. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.

School groups:                                
School art departments and social clubs are asked to participate. They are encouraged to add an artistic element to the fair. School bands would also bring an entertainment value. Schools are also invited to the fair. This is an opportunity to casually educate the public about your school. You are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your school

Seniors groups:                        
Senior groups are asked to participate. This is an opportunity to educate the public about your group. You are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your group. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.

Children’s groups:                          
Children’s organizations are urged to participate in this event. They are encouraged to add an artistic element to the fair. The fair is an opportunity to educate the public about your group. You are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your organization. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.

Community groups:                  
Community groups are asked to participate. Banners identifying your group are suggested. This is an opportunity to educate the public about your group. At the fair, you are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your group. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.

Peace groups:                   
Peace communities are invited to the fair You may hang signs, flags and banners promoting peace, however they must be non-radical and non-political in nature. Approval from the Berks Unity Solution must be obtained prior to the fair. Your groups are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your organization. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.

Civil rights:                     
Civil rights organizations are invited to the fair. They may hang signs and banners promoting civil rights, however they must be non-radical in nature. Approval from the Berks Unity Solution must be obtained prior to the fair. Your groups are invited to have your own food stands, entertainment or games, keeping peace and non-violence at the heart of things. Any proceeds which you receive for your efforts are yours to keep for your organization. Groups are encouraged to share information pertaining to their organizations and contact information.