OUR PEACE FESTIVAL 2026
A two-day community collaboration beginning Saturday, September 19th with a multi-generational outdoor classroom led by local community experts, educators, and artists, followed by live whole-group presentations — culminating Sunday, September 20th with our signature round table on housing, food security, and equity in honour of the UN International Day of Peace to prepare community for school and workplace action on Monday, September 21, 2026.
scroll down for 2025 highlights
SHAPE 2026
Co-Lead In Sub-Committees
-
Security & Safety
-
Fundraising & Sponsorships
-
Program Development
-
Mandates in Action
-
Hospitality & Community Care
-
Design, Communications & Outreach
-
Logistics & Infrastructure
-
Finance & Peace Play Money
-
Youth & Family Engagement
-
Music & Sound Curation
Join us (11 AM – 3 PM) at the Hill Pavilion for a shared meal, guided conversations, and collective reflection in honour of the UN International Day of Peace. Together, panelists and participants will explore three pressing themes — dignity in housing, permaculture for food security, and equity in education — creating space for deep listening, storytelling, and imagining new paths toward justice and peace.
PLEASE NOTE:
OUR PEACE FESTIVAL IS AN ALL-AGES INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
IN SOLIDARY WITH #EVERYCHILDMATTERS
Purposeful literacy and numeracy spark creativity, strengthen advocacy for equity, and grow leadership skills across generations — children, youth, adults, and elders.
Explore the Quinte Cultural Innovation Committee installation inside the Hill Pavilion to discover how permaculture ethics — echoing Kindergarten principles of share, care, and play fair — and permaculture principles can guide all community partners in repairing and restoring connections between plants, people, pollinators, and our shared planet (aka. our collective Mother Ship).
language of the land on which we stand.
EQUITY . INCLUSION . DECOLONIZATION
re-imagined
NIA:WEN (SPECIAL THANK YOU) TO BORELSON & DOLO THE GIFTED ---YOUR LIVE PRESENTATION AT OUR PEACE FESTIVAL 2024 WAS WELL LOVED --- SO MUCH FUN. NYA:WEN. THANK YOU.
PUSH PLAY WHILE YOU BROWSE
FEEDBACK PLEASE!
🌍 We’d Love Your Feedback
Whether you joined us at the waterfront in 2023, experienced the mix of waterfront and independent activations in 2024, or took part in our independent format in 2025 — your voice matters.
As we prepare for the 2026 Peace Festival, your input is welcome. It plays a role in shaping 2026. Feedback form will be activated soon.
COFFEE
QUIZ.
🌍 Community Trivia Challenge:
Question:
Which African country is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee — one of the world’s most traded commodities and a daily ritual for millions around the world, including right here in Belleville?
A. Kenya
B. Ghana
C. Ethiopia
D. South Africa
🕊️ Hint: The answer is tied to a rich cultural heritage and centuries-old farming practices that are often undervalued in global trade.
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
professional photography by Eartha Lowe | contributions from Afrika Outbound, AYC, Minds I Like, Ghetto Stories Podcast, and One People TO are also included.
SIDE HUSTLE MANIFESTO MARKET IS OPEN SEPT. 19TH - 20TH, 2025
The Side Hustle Manifesto Market uplifts grassroots entrepreneurs and everyday visionaries building generational wealth and impact through their passion projects. At the 2026 Festival, the Market expands with the Peace Shop, where youth and families can purchase real school supplies using Peace Play Money.
With $300,000 in circulation, every transaction becomes a hands-on lesson in Literacy, Numeracy, Life Skills, and Business Confidence — a framework first tested by Afrika Outbound, who piloted the future dollars and processes that will power the 2026 Market experience. Supported by the Peace Bank, designed and co-led by youth, the Market becomes a living classroom where enterprise, equity, and education meet.
