Salt Lake City International Peace Garden Festival

Salt Lake's International Peace Gardens

The 67th annual Peace Garden Festival will be held Saturday, Sept 20, from 12 Noon - 5 pm at the Peace Gardens in Jordan Park, 1060 South 900 West, Salt Lake City.

The park, and the festival, are little-known treasures in Salt Lake City. Located along the banks of the Jordan River, the park provides a beautiful place for a family picnic or romp with the kids. The Peace Gardens offer paved walkways between colorful gardens representing countries from around the world.

See details about the Peace Gardens. See details about the Peace Garden Festival.

The festival will include multicultural music and dancing, international food and boutique items.

Admission is free.

The Deseret News has this article and beautiful photo tour featuring the gardens and festival Below are excerpts.

The idea for the International Peace Gardens came about in 1939 just as Europe was going to war. Utah’s centennial was coming up in 1947 and someone suggested that the various countries represented in the state should each plant a garden to reflect their different cultures. All those gardens standing side-by-side would promote peace by celebrating both our diversity and our togetherness.

In 1947 the first garden was finished, the American garden, just in time for the Utah centennial, and the first peace festival was held. America’s two opponents in World War II finished their gardens next. Japan’s was dedicated in 1950 and Germany’s in 1951. A host of other countries followed — 27 in all — until all available land was claimed by 1999. Tonga, Scotland and France got the last three plots.

There are 57 flowerbeds placed among the 27 country gardens, and many change in shape and variety every year. Last year everyone entering the festival was treated to flowers arranged into the shape of huge peace sign — a tribute to tranquility and the flower children. This year it’s a huge butterfly.