Walk for Peace Draws Crowds Ahead of Trilith Live Stop

Hundreds of people gathered along roadways in Coweta County on Sunday as Buddhist monks participating in a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace pilgrimage moved through the area, drawing large crowds that led to traffic backups and logistical challenges.

The monks, who are walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., are expected to pass through Peachtree City early Monday morning along Georgia Highway 54 before stopping later in the morning at Trilith Live in Fayetteville for a public lunch break. Monday’s lunch stop is scheduled for Trilith Live, a purpose-built event venue with on-site parking and space for large gatherings, unlike the residential location used for the group’s overnight stay Sunday.

According to the City of Peachtree City, the monks are expected to enter the city around 7 a.m. Monday, coinciding with the morning commute. While no full road closures are planned, the city said brief or isolated lane closures may be implemented along the route to ensure safety for both participants and drivers. City officials asked motorists to allow extra time, drive carefully, and remain patient.

Walking at an average pace of about four miles per hour, the monks have drawn increasing attention as they move through communities across Georgia.

“Several hundred people… all behind the same thing”

Jean Felts, a Peachtree City REALTOR, visited the monks during their lunch stop Sunday in Moreland and said the atmosphere remained calm despite the size of the crowd.

“It was just a really nice, low-key get-together,” Felts said. “It was nice to see several hundred people from all different races and creeds and everybody getting together, all behind the same thing and getting along. It was just a nice day.”

Felts said she had been following the Walk for Peace online before deciding to attend in person.

“I loved watching the momentum, watching it grow, and not seeing negativity,” she said. “Everybody seemed positive about their goal and their walk.”

She said the walk’s focus on mindfulness was deeply personal for her.

“Mindfulness is really what helped me through some of the toughest times in my life when I lost a child,” Felts said. “That’s what they’re all about, so it kind of resonated.”

Delays and traffic congestion in Coweta

The monks’ lunch stop Sunday in Moreland ran from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., longer than usual, which contributed to a delayed arrival at their evening destination.

As the group moved along Fischer Road, traffic backed up for miles. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office eventually diverted vehicles and restricted turns from Highway 34 due to congestion.

Because the monks stayed overnight at a private residence, parking was limited and no formal crowd management was in place, despite a nearby church across from the subdivision. The monks arrived approximately two hours later than anticipated, reducing the planned visitation window.

Local volunteer Tami Morris, who has been assisting with logistics during the monks’ stay in the area, said crowd estimates at Sunday’s lunch stop ranged from 300 to 500 people.

A brief interaction, a lasting impression

Despite the crowd size, Felts said she was able to briefly interact with the monks.

“They gave me a little blessing, and they tied a little prayer string on my wrist,” she said. “So that was nice.”

In Buddhist tradition, the simple white string bracelets, known as sai sin, are symbolic cords often blessed during prayer or chanting. The cords are intended as a reminder of peace, mindfulness, and compassion, rather than as a physical charm.

Felts said the monks later sang, chanted, and spoke briefly about their mission.

“They talked for probably 10 or 15 minutes,” she said. “It was just such simple advice — about being mindful, how to be happy, and to stay present.”

When asked what she would tell others considering attending a stop along the route, Felts emphasized patience and perspective.

“It’s definitely worth the effort to get there, even though it’s not all scripted,” she said. “Trying to control the crowds and all — it’s part of the whole thing, just remembering to be mindful and why everyone’s there.”

Trilith Live stop expected to accommodate visitors

The monks are scheduled to stop Monday morning at Trilith Live in Fayetteville for their lunch break. The venue should have ample room for parking and a much easier drive in and out, in contrast to the residential location used for the overnight stop Sunday.

Local volunteer Tami Morris, who has been assisting with logistics during the monks’ time in the area, said the group typically begins its lunch break around 10:30 a.m., though timing can vary depending on walking conditions and crowd size.

Police and EMS support are expected to be present during the stop.

The monks are expected to continue east after lunch as they make their way toward Washington, D.C., the final destination of the 2,300-mile walk.