Leonard Hilldale, sole proprietor of Owego Schoolhouse Antiques, located at 100 Elm Street in Owego, N.Y. and behind the fairgrounds, has been spending his time creating a 200,000 square foot peace sign in the field next to his property. On Sept. 21, 2019, which is also celebrated around the globe as International Day of Peace, Hilldale will welcome guests to stand in solidarity for peace, and fill his organic peace sign. The formation is taking place at 2 p.m.
When asked why he put in over 300 hours of work on the peace sign, Hilldale stated, “I’m doing this because of my love for humanity, and my disappointment in how we are treating each other. So come and be a part of history and help form the world’s largest human peace sign; help show the world that we are a good and kind nation.”
Hilldale himself put over 300 hours into clearing and mowing the field on his tractor, dubbed “Peace Baby”, and then went to work with Isaiah Bishop, an Owego Free Academy graduate, to take a look at things from the sky with a cleverly constructed drone video of the peace sign from up above, and words from Hilldale on his upcoming effort. You can view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youe79NWLMA&fbclid=IwAR0VZsd0cxLzqqIVJWMFtVCz6o-TL6kC9fNsi2cHyYlnHy0QSFyUjd-4Vik, or Google “Stand for Peace Owego.”
For the Sept. 21, 2019 event, the 1st Annual International Day of Peace Festival, there will be vendors, as well as live music taking place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. At 2 p.m., guests will fill the peace sign for another view from above. Hilldale hopes to break any previous records for human peace signs with this effort.
But if he doesn’t beat a record, that’s fine, too. Hilldale will welcome guests to his property on Elm Street, and has plenty of parking. During a July meeting of the Village of Owego Board, Hilldale was granted use of Marvin Park and the Fairgrounds for parking.
There is also plenty of parking at 100 Elm St., and several restrooms inside the Schoolhouse Antiques building. Everything, to include entrance to the peace sign, is handicap accessible.
To learn more, find Owego Schoolhouse Antiques on Facebook and look for the event page, or call (607) 687-2709 during business hours of Thursday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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