Community organizations, vendors and food trucks will gather in Washington Park June 1-2 for the Community Love Fest dustbowl tournament, kickback and praise in the park.
Saturday’s festivities will include a basketball tournament with over 30 teams, live music from The Tony Bryant Project, a line dance workout and a bounce house. Ten faith congregations will come together on Sunday to host the praise in the park event.
The weekend activities will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Both days will feature food vendors and organization booths.
With a mission to decrease violence and promote peace, the Community Love Fest offers organizations the opportunity to get involved. Kurt Moore, founder of Str8up Mentoring Foundation, is eager to speak to the community at the event.
“This is a resident-led effort with the goal of combating violence in 46218 with love,” said Moore.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be providing health education and hygiene kits to attendees. The Indiana Department of Health will be onsite conducting health screenings, and Smile Mobile will provide dental checks. Other organizations that will be present include Brightwood Community Center, Indy Parks and Real Taste Catering.
“It’s a great opportunity for individuals to come together within the community within a positive light. We are promoting unity and peace within the neighborhood,” Moore said.
Moore wants attendees to feel empowered and loved when they attend. Citing an uptick and violence and hate in the city, Moore thinks now is the perfect time to showcase the love Indy is capable of.
“We really need people to understand we love them,” Moore said. “So many (young people) don’t understand that somebody actually loves them. We want to eliminate all the anger and hate.”
Contact Staff Writer Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
