Race Unity Day looks to foster peace, harmony

No matter where you live, no matter what your culture, race or religious beliefs, the Baha'I Community of Lisle is inviting you to a parade and picnic Sunday in honor of Race Unity Day.

The day is sponsored every year by the Baha'Is of the United States. The event is meant to bring people of all races, cultures, religions and nationalities together in a celebration of the unity of mankind.

In Lisle, people can gather at the south corner of Ogden Avenue and Main Street at 12:30 p.m. They are welcome to bring banners or wear T-shirts that promote racial unity. They also are invited to participate in the parade, which steps off at 1 p.m.

A picnic will start at 2 p.m. at the south shelter of Community Park at corner of Route 53 and Short Street in Lisle. Free food and beverages will be available.

The festivities are being sponsored by the Baha'I Communities of Lisle, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and Downers Grove.

Organizers are expecting about 100 parade participants, said Roya Hosseini, secretary of the Baha'I Community of Lisle. It's the fifth year a parade and picnic have been hosted in Lisle to commemorate Race Unity Day.

People have come from as far as Chicago, Joliet, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills to participate, Hosseini said.

The picnic runs from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and usually brings out many families.

Several stations will be set up at the picnic, including literature on Baha'Is and a display on how the Underground Railroad pertained to DuPage County.

Hosseini said she hopes participants take away a message from the events.

"The unity of mankind, that we are all created by the same God and the sooner we start to like each other and tolerate each other, the easier life will become," she said.