Unity Walk to draw from wide area
Residents and guests of the cities of Tempe, Chandler, Gila River Indian Community, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Queen Creek, along with students and faculty from Arizona State University, will gather at numerous locations in Tempe at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, and walk in unity to Tempe Beach Park for the Second Annual East Valley Regional Unity Walk and Diversity Festival.
This event is in honor of civil rights history and ideals and in celebration of the East Valley's diversity and unity.
Walkers may include families, neighbors, friends, school children, community organizations, scout groups, church groups, and any others interested in participating.
Walkers are encouraged to carry flags and signs identifying their individual group, or they may choose to carry the Unity Walk signs that will be provided. Free t-shirts, in various colors to identify your city or town of residency, will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the assembly points.
Upon arrival at Tempe Beach Park, walkers will enjoy entertainment, a dignitary presentation, and the APS Diversity Festival.
The Diversity Festival will be from noon to 6 p.m. and will feature live music (jazz, salsa, R&B, Gospel and Caribbean), a children's village interactive kids zone, inflatable carnival attractions, a youth-artist market, games, prizes, face painting, clowns, balloon artists, international vendor- and food-booths, cultural performances and more.
Participants wishing to join the unity walk can choose from any of the following starting points.
Tempe & Guadalupe: Westside Community Center, 715 W. 5th St. (1-mile walk)
Mesa, Gilbert and ASU: ASU Parking Lot 59, Scottsdale Road and Rio Salado Parkway (1 mile walk)
Chandler, Gila River Indian Community & Queen Creek: Daley Park, College Avenue and Encanto Drive (1.5-mile walk)
Scottsdale: Tempe Papago Park, Curry Road and College Avenue (2-mile walk)
Information: Ginny Belousek, (480) 350-8979 or www.tempe.gov/diversity.