The first Festival was October 11, 2004—a one-day event called by Brother Northstar, peace pilgrim from Deerfield, Massachusetts.
The 2005 Festival was blest with wonderful weather, effective staff, excellent speakers, singers, storytellers, healers, and a superb sound system to create a joyous, intoxicating, uplifting atmosphere. Abijah came for a week from Jamaica as Safe Schools Ambassador to bless us with Bob Marley's legacy of musical prayers for nonviolence, unity and love, and a memorable, moving visit with inmates in the Onondaga County Detention Center.
Marcine Quenzer, in full body brace for a broken back, delivered her storytelling of The Legend of Onondaga Lake—The Peacemaker story—how peace came to Five Nations in the Finger Lakes.
But poster distribution didn't begin until July 6, so attendance was very weak. Low turnout meant income didn't meet budget, so few staff were paid, and I personally paid many expenses.
Nonetheless, 2005 was a successful dress rehearsal to show what we can create together. For nearly three days, a gathering of healers and teachers sustained a bubble of bliss and blessing in the amphitheatre within the earth mound in Long Branch Park.
2006 was the third Onondaga Lake Peace Festival.
