Atlanta

Easter weekend celebration draws hundreds

ATLANTA — More than 500 people gathered for a day of music, food and an Easter egg hunt Saturday at the Forest Cove apartment community in southeast Atlanta.

The event, called “Summit in the Park,” was sponsored by Faith in Action/Summit on Violence, an interfaith group dedicated to curbing violence and building understanding in communities.

“We are lifting the spirits of this community. We decided to do this at Easter time because it’s an expression of the Resurrection and love,” said event organizer Father Roy Lee.

Lee told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that dozens of volunteers worked to stage the event, which included the distribution of Easter holiday gifts that were donated by retail stores, businesses and individuals.

“We had a least 70 donated hams and 70 Easter baskets. We had toys, games, clothing. This is a fun time," Lee said.

Children enjoyed face painting, a bouncy house, and an Easter egg hunt. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic-based charitable organization, provided a grilled lunch for festival goers.

Last October, Faith in Action/Summit on Violence put on a roundtable discussion with religious and community leaders and law enforcement officials on ways  to curb gun-related violence and foster better relations between police and communities.