The 1st Annual Peace Festival will take place this Sat., June 11 from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Community Center – 8825 Rainier Ave. S. in Seattle.
The event will feature a friendly game of basketball between youth in the area and Seattle Police officers, as youth, police officers and police sergeants will show their skills on the court. In addition, there will be a 3 point contest, free throw contest, HORSE contest, local entertainment, free haircuts, resource fair, raffles, prizes and plenty of free food from local vendors.
In an effort to stop the violence that is taking place in area, a group of young African American males approached Seattle Police Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin and expressed their concerns about community violence and the mistrust that African American males have with the police.
“They stated they wanted to do something in their community, Rainier Beach, which would be fun and also bridge the gap between youth and the police,” said Bouldin.
The young men suggested a friendly game of basketball, youth against the police, and decided to call the event the “Peace Festival.”
Det. Cookie, as she is affectionately known, took their suggestion and helped organize the event.
The All In The Net Basketball Game vs. Seattle Police will start at 4:00 p.m. The community is invited to come out and support this free event.
