It was a beautiful day to visit Thea’s Park on Sept. 21, and a lot of people did just that to witness the dedication of Tacoma’s new peace pole. Gathering in the park’s Peace Plaza on this 40^th United Nations International Day of Peace, crowds heard from local dignitaries, enjoyed music of goodwill from the Tacoma Refugee Choir and Steve and Kristi Nebel, and celebrated with Tacoma Peace Laureate Marilyn Kimmerling as she received the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Medallion from the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize.

The Day of Peace at Thea’s Park was a collaborative effort with Tacoma Sister Cities, City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Pierce County Historical Society, Center for Spiritual Living, and the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize. Tacoma Sister Cities President Clare Petrich recognized this when she called it “a most remarkable day. In Tacoma, we’ve been celebrating Sister Cities for 62 years. Today we’re together to rededicate Sister Cities’ gift to Tacoma – the Peace Plaza at Thea’s Park.”