Held outside the Madison Children’s Museum on the stage at the intersection of Carroll and State streets just off Capitol Square, the festival kicked off a month-long Kids for Peace celebration and marked the United Nations International Day of Peace (on September 21) and the ensuing Month of Peace.

In addition to the Hmong dance group in the photo, other performers included Suzuki Strings of Madison, Kids for Peace All-Stars: Rich Baumann, Clare Norelle, Stuart Stotts, Hula Hoopla, and a Community Circle Dance with Art Shagonee. The event ended with a parade around the Square, which featured Puppet Farm Arts, Jolly Giants, the Handphibians, Atimevu Drum & Dance Company, Kanopy Dance, Mama Digdown’s Brass Junction, Yid Vicious, and a PeaceMobile. The museum will be hosting the Picturing Peace exhibit through the month, culminating with the Peace Arts Weekend from October 5-7.