The 10th annual Montgomery County “Friendship Picnic” will again bring people of diverse cultures and faiths together to make new friends and discuss ways to build a stronger community. The free event will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Wheaton Regional Park.
Wheaton Regional Park is located at 2000 Shorefield Rd. in Wheaton. A free satellite parking shuttle Ride On service to and from the Wheaton Ice Rink and athletic fields will be available.
All are welcome to the celebration, which will include traditional, Kosher, Halal and vegetarian lunch options. There will be a wide range of activities for children and adults including music, dancing, moon bounce, face painting, the carousel and rides on the park’s miniature train.
Food and drink will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis from 12:30-2:30 p.m. No registration is required.
In addition to recreation activities, there will be opportunities for small group conversations to talk about how to peaceably and respectfully move toward a nonviolent community.
“Our Friendship Picnic is an opportunity to come together, find common ground and community and be a bulwark against hate related violence,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I encourage people of all ages to attend this annual event.”
The event is an initiative of the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence (CAHV), which works to eradicate acts of hate and intimidation through community education, advocacy, collaboration and legislation.
The Friendship Picnic is supported by:
- Montgomery County Office of Human Rights
- Montgomery County Human Rights Commission
- Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships
- Faith Community Advisory Group
- Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services African American Health Program
- Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
- Montgomery Parks
- Montgomery County Park Police
- Montgomery County Police Department
- Montgomery County Department of Transportation
- Black Physician’s Network