Celebrating Peace, Reconciliation, and Community
International Day of Peace 2025: Cultivating Reconciliation in Tacoma
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Tacoma Sister Cities hosted its annual International Day of Peace at Thea’s Park.
This year’s theme of “Cultivating Reconciliation” brought together neighbors, students, artists, and civic leaders to reflect on peace as a shared, everyday practice.
Location: Thea’s Park, 405 Dock Street
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Program Highlights
Live music by Steve and Kristi Nebel
Trumpet solo of Imagine by John Lloyd
Welcome remarks from Mayor Victoria Woodards
Youth performance by Fawcett Elementary School Choir (Light a Candle for Peace)
Reflections from Theresa Pan Hosley on Tacoma’s history of Reconciliation
Global insights from Frances Lorenz on the 2025 Global Peace Index
Original performance by Annie Pederson (Feels Like Home)
Poetry and music by Lucas Smiraldo and Sean Gaskell (Thirteen Hours)
Peace perspectives from Diane Powers and Sean Arent
Moment of Silence led by Reverend Drew Ebersole
Closing chorus: May Peace Prevail on Earth in multiple languages
Final trumpet: Let There Be Peace on Earth by John Lloyd
Thank You Note
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us—and to our honored speakers, performers, and volunteers who made this event so meaningful. Your presence reminded us that peace is not just an ideal, it’s a practice rooted in community, carried forward by each of us.