Join The Love Project for the International Day of Peace Celebration September 21st

Saturday, September 21, 2024

St. Petersburg will unite for a special celebration of the International Day of Peace, hosted by The Global Love Project. As part of the broader International Week of Peace, this day’s events invite the community to embrace the theme “Peace Begins With Us” through meaningful activities that promote peace, sustainability, and unity.

The Global Love Project is dedicated to fostering collaboration, creativity, and action, bringing together individuals, organizations, and businesses to advocate for peace. From artistic expressions to community engagement, everyone is invited to take part in this transformative day.

International Day of Peace – Schedule of Events

All events will take place at North Straub Park, located at 400 Bayshore Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL.

• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Tai Chi at North Straub Pavilion
  Start your day with peace and tranquility by participating in a Tai Chi session, designed to center the mind and body, creating inner harmony.

• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Tampa Bay Watch Clean Up
  Join the community in a collective effort to clean and protect the local environment. This cleanup event, hosted by Tampa Bay Watch, encourages everyone to take action toward sustainability and environmental peace.

• 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Ekeko Art Gallery – Welcoming Hope, Love, and Peace Inspired Art
  Explore peace through art by visiting the Ekeko Art Gallery. Local artists will display works inspired by love, hope, and peace. Attendees are welcome to drop off their own peace-themed artwork at the gallery on September 19th and 20th, between 11 AM and 5 PM.

• 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Global Love Project Community-Wide Chalking Event
  • “Peace in the Park” invites community members of all ages to express their visions of peace through chalk art. Located at North Straub Park, participants can create their own messages of love, unity, and hope on the sidewalks, making their voices heard in a visual, creative way.

• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Peace on the Pier 1.5-Mile Walk for Peace & Lighting Ceremony
  End the day with a peaceful walk along the iconic St. Pete Pier. Hosted by the St. Pete RunFest Team, this 1.5-mile walk will conclude with a special lighting ceremony to honor peace and unity within the community.

Why It Matters:

The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations, is an annual day dedicated to promoting peace worldwide. The Global Love Project’s celebration of this day in St. Petersburg aims to bring the global message of peace to a local level by engaging the community in a series of impactful events. The theme “Peace Begins With Us” encourages everyone to take personal responsibility for contributing to a peaceful and sustainable world.

How You Can Get Involved:

Artists: Contribute to the peace-inspired art exhibition at Ekeko Art Gallery. Share your message of hope, love, and peace through your work.
Volunteers: Help with event coordination and support the community-wide activities.
Participants: Attend the events, engage in the discussions, and spread the message of peace and sustainability through social media.
Businesses and Organizations: Highlight your contributions to peace and sustainability by participating in the events or promoting peace through your own initiatives.

Join The Global Love Project in Making a Difference:

The International Day of Peace provides a platform for the community to unite and act for a better, more peaceful world. By participating in the day’s events, attendees contribute to a larger movement dedicated to peace, sustainability, and love.

For more information and a full schedule of the International Week of Peace, visit The Global LoveProject - International Day of Peace or follow along on Instagram @TheGlobalLoveProject.

How The Global Love Project Started:

What began as a solo effort to express what was in Justin's ,the founder of The Global Love Project, heart quickly became a community event. The Global Love Project started with a simple but profound act: every Sunday from 9am - 11am, Justin would head to the corner of Central Avenue and 11th Street with chalk in hand, creating sidewalk drawings filled with messages of love, hope, and unity.

As the weeks passed, more people began to join, contributing their own drawings, messages, and creative energy. Musicians even started to bring their instruments, adding a musical element to the gathering. Week after week, this Sunday gathering has brought together people from all walks of life, sharing in a collective effort to promote love, creativity, and openness.

Over time, this small act of love turned into something much larger—for over 100 consecutive weeks, Justin and his growing circle of friends and community members have gathered at the same spot to spread positivity through sidewalk chalk art.

The commitment to show up every Sunday, rain or shine, reflects Justin’s unwavering belief that love is a powerful force for change. This weekly chalking event on Central and 11th has now become a symbol of the community’s dedication to peace, unity, and mutual support that anyone can join.

By joining the celebration of International Day of Peace, you become part of a growing community that values love, creativity, and sustainable development. Together, everyone can build a future where peace truly begins with us.

Learn more about The Global Love Project.