Food, performing arts and kindness abounded at a new festival in Irvine on Sunday.
The Be Kind Festival took over the Great Park with vendors, music, entertainment and arts workshops all while promoting various nonprofits and community engagement.
Five-year-old Zehra Muhammedova reacts to her face paint during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Violinist, Kiev Morales performs during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Four-year-old Sophia Brown has her face painted during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Stereosity performs during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Seven-year-old Opal Riva attends a flower arranging workshop during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A beef doner sandwich available during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Bubble clown, Nick Kane performs during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Bubble clown, Nick Kane performs during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Rana Yilmaz leads a flower arranging workshop during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Bubble clown, Nick Kane performs during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Alexander Great performs close-up magic during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
From right, Sam Krones and Jack Carone of the band Stereosity perform during the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Nathan Dagci carries a chocolate cake to the food court at the annual Be Kind Festival at the Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
“People are doing good stuff that we don’t know much about. We want to get them together and show each other what we do for the community,” said Numan Dagdeviren, one of the more than 100 volunteers for the event put on by the humanitarian aid group Embrace Relief.
The Be Kind Festival encouraged attendees to check out nonprofits and other organizations that help Orange County residents, said Dagdeviren. The idea was to spark interest among those who attended, whether it be through a financial contribution or volunteer work.
Amnesty International and Second Harvest Food Bank were among the nonprofit causes highlighted during the day-long festival, as well as efforts to bring water wells to Africa and aid in the aftermath of the devastating and deadly Hawaii wildfires through Embrace Relief.
The goal is for the Be Kind Festival to become an annual affair, said Dagdeviren, who has spoken to people in neighboring San Diego County about hosting a similar event there.
“That’s our plan: to become an example for other communities and cities,” Dagdeviren said.
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