The 15th annual SWFL Peace Day Celebration is set for Sunday, Sept. 25, at Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park in Fort Myers.

The celebration held in honor of International Day of Peace, will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with a kick-off event for those who would like to get an early start.

“It’s hard to put into words the sensations I feel creating a project that started with a couple hundred people to what has become a yearly staple,” said event creator Zachary vanDyne. “It’s beyond words and is beautiful to witness. It’s the 15th annual celebration bringing a day of peace to the Southwest Florida community. This year we have been able to step up donations, as well as offering activities during Peace Day, for the organizations that we support.”

This will be the first year the event features live mermaids, and there will be an artist village that will allow many talented local artists to showcase and sell their works. Each year sees new vendors and a wider variety of foods to satisfy every dietary choice.

“Each year, Peace Day has expanded its outreach, spiraling outward to include and connect with more people and creating opportunities for more understanding and communication to take place,” vanDyne said. “I find myself continually grateful for the people right here in Southwest Florida, as well as the people who travel from a distance to experience a day of peace, and who stand up for peace and have helped create and expand it outward each year.”

This year’s theme is Transformation, which organizers say was selected from a long-ago prophecy that foretold that people of many colors would gather to unite and restore balance to the Earth — and that that time is now.

“Each year, I pray to Spirit to give me the theme,” vanDyne said. “This year, Spirit said that the theme was transformation and spoke about the Rainbow Prophecy and said that the time is now. The Rainbow Prophecy said that a generation of people of many colors, many backgrounds, and many faiths would come together to unite, restore, and herald in a time of balance for the Earth. Peace is transformative and comes with understanding through communication. What unites us is greater than what divides us.”

This year’s free-admission, family- and pet-friendly celebration will offer amazing food trucks, vendor and artist booths, live music, entertainment and ample free parking

Here’s what’s happening this year at Peace Day:

∫ 7:30 a.m.: Kicking off Peace Day with the “Ultimate Breathing Experience,” Candace Tranter leads a breathing empowerment for peace for 100 people to focus on the breath and hold intention for a massive shift for humanity.

∫ Druid Elder Opening Ceremony

∫ Vendor and artisan booths

∫ Delicious food and sweet treats: Vegetarian, vegan and omnivore

∫ Live music and DJs throughout the day: Hosted by Jenni B (All Smiles Entertainment) and featuring David “Bear” Delli Paoli, Family Music Time, Violet Midnight, Luna Muni (violin), The Markleys, and B-Love

∫ Live entertainment, featuring the Calendar Girls, the Belly & Hula Connection SWFL, Poets Realm, and Luna Moonz

∫ A Peace Day FIRST: Mermaids, sponsored by Freedom Roofing, will be making a big splash on-site at Peace Day!

∫ Dog Park for our furry friends

∫ Massage, Reiki, & Crystal Bowl Sound Baths

∫ Living Universal Medicine Wheel

∫ Meditative Peace Grid for Transformation

∫ Educational talks

∫ Local non-profit organizations

∫ Food and Supplies Drive for ACT (Abuse & Counseling Treatment) and GCHS (Gulf Coast Humane Society)

∫ Peace Blood Drive (One Blood Bloodmobile)

∫ Closing Drum Ceremony with Ernel Grant

Especially for the Kids:

∫ Family Time Music Singalong after Tai Chi

∫ Kids’ Yoga

∫ Bounce houses and rides

∫ Coloring/art activities

∫ Wa-Ke-Hatchee play areas

∫ Face painting

∫ Free gifts

For Kids of All Ages:

∫ Butterfly Tent

∫ Chill out zones with umbrellas by Umbrella Mafia

∫ Mocktails and kid-friendly drinks by Millennial Brewing

∫ Interactive Live Art Stations

∫ Photo Op stations

∫ Volleyball and tennis courts

“Peace is an umbrella that we all fit under,” vanDyne added. “As we said previously, what unites us is greater than what divides us. It is our natural instinct that we all want to be happy, and no one wants to suffer, regardless of race, religion, age, etc.; therefore, Peace Day, and coming together at Peace Day, is a way for us to continue to inspire, educate, and unite us in this most basic and fundamental desire… the desire for Peace.

“Community is made up of all walks of life and we are continuing to create a day of peace where everyone, regardless of race, religion, age, financial position, education, etc., can participate. Peace Day has always been, and always will be, a free event for the community.”

Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park is at 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or chair, relax on the grass to amazing music and entertainment, and enjoy a peace-filled day with friends and family.

15th Annual Peace Day sponsors include Thinking Peace, Helping It Grow: CasaShanti, Grand Illusion, Mitra 9, Millennial Brewing, Freedom Roofing, Neenie’s House, Iona Cannabis Clinic, Zak’s Jewelers, Mystic Moon, What’s Up SWFL, Bath Fitter, Solar Bear, and EPEC.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj