The Third Annual Celebration of the University Park World Peace Rose Garden featuring Inspirational Messages of Peace Winners will take place on Thursday, April 25 at 12:30 p.m. at the University Park World Peace Rose Garden (UPWPRG) in Stockton. This event is free and open to the public.

Bring your friends and family to celebrate and listen as the top 12 finalists deliver their Messages of Peace. Hundreds of students, representing Pitman Charter School, Children’s Home of Stockton, Hamilton Elementary and Health Careers Academy High School, developed original Peace Messages for this year’s contest. The 12 winning messages will be placed on plaques throughout the Rose Garden, and unveiled by the students during the celebration. This year’s theme is Integrity.

The UPWPRG will unveil a winning Message of Peace from its sister garden, the Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream” World Peace Rose Garden in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees will hear from special guest speakers: Casey Lara, United States Olympic Women’s Roller Derby Team and Tony Gladney, Youth Program Coordinator and Emcee for the Stockton Kings. A rose petal toss will conclude the event.

Following the event, students and visitors can connect with special guest speakers.

For more information contact Mandi Dumlao at (209) 473-6168 or mdumlao@grupe.com.

The University Park World Peace Rose Garden is the newest in a series of nine International World Peace Rose Gardens. These gardens have become magnets for positive community interactions. The University Park World Peace Rose Garden features a variety of roses specifically chosen for this region.