The Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Steering Committee joined forces with the Community Youth Fest on June 27, 2015 for an event to celebrate a peaceful summer. Jeremy Lavoie and Jason Springer organized the event at Britland Park at which dozens of young people gathered for six hours of peaceful activities. An Instagram contest launched the event which included basketball, face painting, a photo booth and dodge ball games. DJ Sammy Clawz provided the music while a five-on-five basketball tournament ran for middle, high school, and an unlimited older ran until 5:00 p.m. The Southcoast Energy Challenge was on hand with information and an energy bicycle, and younger children were invited to draw posters of what they will do to keep the peace this summer. Click here for a 3-minute video of the event and here for photos of last year's festival at Britland Park. For more information, contact Jeremy Lavoie at toprecruitjl@gmail.com or Jason Springer at Fall River Schools.

(Top row)  Seven-year-old Angel Torres works on a poster of what he will do to keep the peace this summer before Family Service Association Mentor Christian Berrios collects the finished posters. (Row two) Fall River Youth Coordinator Christian McCloskey, left, wearing a "Kick-off To A Peaceful Summer" tee-shirt walks away from the registration table where Annemarie Sharkey and Jay Springer are signing in the participants while State Representative Carole Fiola talks with Dr. Ed Costar and Tom Khoury and Ken Fiola smile for the camera. (Row three, left and righ) Darwin Palencia dribbles the ball before it's knocked from his hands. (Row three, center)  Manhattan College student Jeremy Lavoie poses a photo with his two-year-old son. (Row four) Five man teams compete for the high school championship. (Bottom row) Jadis Wilson and  Brendan White referee the middle school tournament.