ITHACA STANDS UP FOR WORLD PEACE

I-FEST PLANS WORLD'S LARGEST HUMAN PEACE SIGN!

On June 22nd, 2008, thousands of Ithacans will gather in an attempt to set a world record, broadcasting the entire event to a global audience via YouTube, all to advocate for world peace. Please join us!

In a powerful event at the conclusion of this year's Ithaca festival, Ithaca will stand up for world peace. A huge human peace sign will be formed, symbolizing a community united for the cause of fostering international diplomacy and cooperation.

The Ithaca Festival, a 30-year tradition celebrating "our community and the creative artist in each of us," has embraced the idea as part of its "I Am Ithaca" theme for 2008. Trevor Dougherty, a sophomore at Ithaca High School, is organizing the event. Dubbed "Ithaca's YouTuber" by the Ithaca Journal last year, he will also aid in the creation and web syndication of a viral video documenting the event. One of his past videos, a video for peace, has received worldwide attention. You can view it here.

Coordinators of the Ithaca Festival are currently in contact with Guinness World Records(TM), in order to officially set the world record for the world's largest human peace sign. While large-scale human peace signs have been created before, according to local book store owner Gary Weissbrot, there is no official record set. This gives attendees at this year's Ithaca Festival the opportunity to help establish the record.

Because the setting of a world record depends entirely upon attendance and participation on the day of the event, any donations of publicity (print, media, online) would be greatly appreciated.

The success of this event could easily put Ithaca on the global stage as a community dedicated to promoting peace!

Join us on Sunday, June 22nd, at 3pm. The event will be held in Stewart Park.

Contact Person: Trevor Dougherty
Phone: 607.229.5198
Email: maddogza@gmail.com

In addition to this inspirational project, Amy Newman, another diplomatically motivated Ithacan, will be facilitating a community-wide project dubbed "Postcards for Peace" all weekend long during the festival.  Amy is asking that citizens, both young and old, create artwork, poetry, prose and any other interpretation of what peace means to them on prefabricated "postcards" she will provide (click here to make one on your own by printing both sides on 8.5" x 11" card stock) and that will in turn be cataloged in a time capsule by the History Center.