In these times of warfare and division, Kingston comes together every August bringing a breath of fresh air on the shores of the Hudson River. A community event that features the most talented local dancers, musicians and artists, the Bon-Odori Dance Festival, now in its 14th season is a day of celebration and a vision for a sane and peaceful future.

The festival was inspired by Obon, a Japanese Buddhist tradition when people return home to gather with family and friends and to reconnect with the spirit of their ancestors. The Kingston festival is a day of community reconnection and celebration. It also commemorates the anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (Aug. 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945) and the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters with a clear message: “Be part of a step toward a peaceful future. No nuclear weapons, power and radioactive environment.”

The Bon-Odori Dance Festival for Peace will feature the renowned Vanaver Caravan and Kingston’s award-winning Energy Dance Company inviting attendees to dance along creating the beat of world peace. Musicians include Japanese Taiko with Burlington Taiko, Native American music award winners Spirit of Thunderheart, Barely Lace and others. Barbara Bash and Asako Yamada will perform large-scale Asian brush art. There will be another feature called Nanchu Soran, a special Japanese group dance. Manna Jo Greene of the Ulster County Legislature will be on board along with a panel discussion entitled “A Nuclear-Free Future. How?”

There will be hula-hooping, giant puppets and demonstrations by local martial arts groups. International foods, drinks and sweets will be available. Booths and events will include Mohonk Consultations, a Japanese tea ceremony, Reiki, Japanese clothing and herbs and vegetables from local farms. The Minbuza Japanese Folk Dance Company will lead “Bon-Odori,” inviting everyone to dance around. To conclude the festival the Buddhist monk, Rev. Dr. Kenjitsu Nakagaki will lead a heart sutra chant. Then a luminary service: participants will light candles with the flame of Hiroshima brought by another Buddhist monk, Yuzan Toyoda from Quebec.

The 14th Annual Bon-Odori Dance Festival for Peace will take place on Sunday, Aug. 4, from noon to 8 p.m. at Kingston Point Beach, 53 Delaware Ave. Admission is free. For more information and videos visit the festival’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BonOdoriKingston/ or check the website at bonodori.org.