HARTFORD — Voices For Heroes, a non-profit organization based in Waterbury, is organizing an event to bring together peaceful, community minded organizations and people to embrace and celebrate peace.

The event, called “Power of Peace 2013 Family Fest 2013,” will take place at Bushnell Memorial Park on Sunday, August 11, from noon until 7 pm. All are welcome and attendance to the event is free.

The goal of the event is to spread awareness of as many non-political causes as possible and show children how great it can be to work with others to achieve one goal of change and the joy of giving. The organizers want non-political causes to unite and say “We still believe in peace. We will not give up.” No matter who you are ... you are not alone.

Planned activities include “Butterflies in Motion,” a live butterfly release in honor of Juliana Leigh Klein, who lost her battle with complications from Cerebral Palsy at age 5, as well as 29 special butterflies to honor the victims of 12/14 and the Boston Marathon bombing. Event organizer Denise Labrecque will be inviting the families of each 12/14 victim, or a representative, their own butterfly, she told The Newtown Bee.

In addition, Melida and Carlos Arredondos, “the man with the cowboy hat” who was seen in many photos following the Boston Marathon bombings, will be a special guest during the festival. Mr Arredondos was a spectator to the race, who jumped immediately into the fray following the bombs to tend to the injured.

Special performances throughout the day will feature songs from Hair, Rent, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills and Nash, et al.

As part of the festivities, “Rock Of Angels,” a memorial/monument from Maine, will be unveiled at the event as a gift to Newtown.

Organizers have enlisted Kristen Cusato, former news anchor from NEWS 8 and current Southwest Regional Director of CT Alzheimer’s Association as emcee. Special guest speakers include Ted Aub, the Connecticut State Coordinator for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia (www.pow-miafamilies.org); and Mike Hall, youth/teen motivational and inspirational speaker and author, will speak to the younger attendees about bullying and becoming leaders.

In addition, the following causes have signed up to join the event: Team Rachel, Walk For Autism, Newtown Kindness, HealingNewtown,  Anti-Bullying,  Catching Joy Foundation, The National Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Conquer Chiari Malformation, The Unity Project, Give2theTroops, Children of Hope/Baby Safe Haven, many medical awareness groups and more.

Additional non-political causes and organizations are welcome to join. Register by contacting Ms LaBrecque at admin@voicesforheroes.com.

People who represent a multitude of social causes will be attending and vending. There will be arts and crafts for kids, face painting, parachute games, hula hooping, magic, bug and butterfly education, food vendors, and items for purchase.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in “hippie” clothing and listen to some “far-out” tunes performed by artists from CT and beyond. Many Voices for Heroes album artists (from both CDs), will perform positive and inspirational music for change, with a few special guests. Connecticut Voices For Heroes was released in March, featuring original music that paid tribute to Newtown by musicians from across Connecticut.

A second collection, Voices from Around The World, The Music, was released on June 18, and features artists from as far away as the United Kingdom.

Copies of both CDs will be available during the Bushnell Park festival. Proceeds from the sales of the second album, said Voices For Heroes Organizer Denise LaBrecque, will help provide instruments to the Newtown school district music departments.

Volunteers are also needed to the festival. College students can earn community service credit for their time.

For additional information, to join the event committee, become a sponsor or learn more about becoming an advertiser,contact Ms LaBrecque at the above email or call 203-574-3322.

Voices For Heroes is hoping to make this an annual event. Visit their website, VoicesForHeroes.com, for more information and samples of the music on the CDs.