Festival of Hope - offers resources, awareness

The third annual Festival of Hope — a two-day festival featuring street murals, free live concerts, community-based dance groups, resource booths and a special area for children — will take place Oct. 6 and 7 at Tulare Outlet Center, 1407 Retherford St., Tulare.

The festival, sponsored by the Tulare and Kings County Suicide Prevention Task Force, is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The goal of the event is to offer hope to the community and awareness of the efforts to save lives, organizers said.

People are encouraged to join by forming a chalk-mural team, or dedicating time as an individual artist of any skill level. Chalk will be provided.

The event will feature street painters and bands, including Poor Man’s Poison, Fierce Creatures, The Steelwells, and Motel Drive. A popular festival band will offer a featured performance. In addition, cultural performances include the children’s dance group, Ballet Folkloric Sierra Linda, Betsuin Buddhist Temple’s Fresno Gumyo Taiko drum group, the Polynesian Club of Fresno and Master Djemebe Drummer Mamady “WADABA” Kourouma, among others.

The children’s area will feature face painting, fingernail art, sidewalk chalk, interactive demonstrations with Science Dipity and Bubbles the Magical Clown.

More information can be found at www.sptf. org.

This year, the festivities begin with the Walk of Hope/Walk with NAMI at Del Lago Park, 1700 N. Laspina St., Tulare.

The walk is focused on heightening awareness of mental illness and suicide prevention.

Visitors are asked to take a photo of their loved one with them to the walk. Teams are also encouraged, as is wearing a team T-shirt.

Registration may be done in advance at www. sptf.org or onsite.

Free shuttle service between the park and the Outlet will be provided.