Peace in the Park, a free event in Niagara-on-the-Lake for 10 years now, is a collection of local bands and original music.

"This isn't a bar or a rock event, this is something else," said Roddy, the assistant stage manager of the event who prefers to be identified by only his a single name.

Roddy said people keep coming back to the event because they are transported by the art. He said it's one day where people can take the whole day off and just relax.

Bands from Niagara-on-the-Lake and around the region were invited to perform.

"We wanted to reach out to St. Catharines," said Nikki Tamlin, who is in her first year of being stage manager for the event.

Roddy made it very clear that there was no competition between neighbouring cities. He said competitions are for sports people, whereas art people have friendships.

Friendships definitely played a role in the organizing of Peace in the Park, where St. Catharines vendors were invited.

"This is the first year we have invited vendors," said Tamblin.

One of the vendors, Penelope's Planet, received a special invitation.

Back in October the store, located at 80 St. Paul St. in St. Catharines and sells custom-cut clothes as well as accessories, was broken into.

Owner Kerry Parsons receives all of her merchandise on consignment, including work from 20 designeers who hand-make everything themselves.

"Instead of saying, 'Bummer,' to the designers, she decided to pay them all back by holding a fundraiser," said Roddy. "When we found that out, we participated as fiercely as we could in it and invited her here today."

The fundraiser was held on Feb. 18, and Parsons raised about $1,000, enough to pay all of the designers back as well as a little bit extra for other things she needed.

Another Peace in the Park will be held in September and there are no plans to stop the event anytime soon.

"We'll probably do it until we all die," said Roddy.