DECATUR - Marching toward Central Park from the AmerenIP building, 9-year-old Kaseka Mulomede had a bit of help to keep her walking at a fast pace.

She was accompanied by Pepper, a stocky black toy poodle that was pulling as if she couldn't wait to reach her destination.

Kaseka and Pepper were among about 70 people who converged on the downtown park Saturday afternoon from several starting points, as part of the 2008 Unity Walk, sponsored by Coming Together Decatur.

"When you see the two colors coming together, I like to participate," said Kaseka, who was accompanied by her mother, grandparents and 1-year-old brother.

Pepper's owners, Aubrey and Curtis Gregg, were among a group of 10 members of the Baha'i community who approached the park from the south, carrying banners proclaiming their faith and the event.

"I think it's important to represent different faiths and the diversity we have in Decatur," said Aubrey Gregg, an Iowa native who moved here with her husband almost three years ago. "We have diversity, but we also have to be unified in the community."

Curtis Gregg said it is important to him to get to know people from different cultures.

Jane Johnson, Coming Together member who helped organize the event, said the group started off with a Unity Walk in 2000. That was followed by another walk on Labor Day weekend the next year.

"We revisited our vision and mission," Johnson said. "We're trying to become more active."

The event featured a session of individuals pairing with one another for conversation, music and a dramatic presentation.

Emily Anderson, a Millikin University music major, is a member of Unity Social Justice Advocates, which presented a series of monologues on stereotypes.

Hannah Feldstein, a theater major, was among the 15 Millikin students who marched together to the park.

"It's important for us to come out because we're in our own community. It's important for us to branch out and unify with the Decatur community," Feldstein said.

Johnson said she was pleased with the turnout.

"People came together to meet and enjoy each other's company," Johnson said. "A lot of people had the opportunity to meet people they didn't know and form lasting relationships."

hfreeman@herald-review.com|421-6985