Area excited about Christian music festival Christian Music

Area excited about Christian music festival

June 23, 2005 – 11:13 am

It’s Alive! Area excited about Christian music festival – Christian rock artist Sarah Kelly performs Wednesday during the 18th annual Alive Festival at Clay’s Park Resort in Canal Fulton.
T-R/Pat Burk

CANAL FULTON – There’s something different about the Alive Festival – and it’s what keeps area residents going back again and again.

About 15,000 people gathered for the first day of the 18th annual Christian contemporary music festival at Clay’s Park on Wednesday. The four-day event runs through Saturday.

“You can bring your family to this and not have to worry about what they see or hear,” said Jessie Edwards of Bolivar.

Edwards and her husband, Scott, took their five children to the festival and are camping on the park grounds.

It’s the family’s second year at Alive. Edwards said they returned because they love the music.

“The kids listen to what they like, and we listen to what we like,” she said.

Four stages are set up at Alive – all featuring music by Christian artists. On Wednesday, youths proceeded from venue to venue, many wearing T-shirts of their favorite artists and some that said “Jesus Freak” or “No high like the Most High.”

The main stage – the Amphitheater Stage – featured popular bands Blindside and Audio Adrenaline Wednesday night.

Mandi Heflin, 18, of Millersburg said she was most excited about the Chicago-based band, Superchic[k], whose message is to inspire, empower and entertain with a call to rise above society’s happenings.

“I’ve been tracking them for several years and trying to see them in concert,” said Heflin.

Heflin’s friend, Kristina Fox, 17, also of Millersburg, said she was looking forward to Audio Adrenaline, a Christian rock band.

“They have good music,” said Fox. “The lyrics are Christian and a good influence.”

Tammy Ridenbaugh of Big Prairie said she was excited to take her daughter Haley Butler, 14, to the festival.

“It’s a good place for teenagers to come to worship the Lord,” said Ridenbaugh.

A group of seven teenagers from Garaway and Hiland highs must have agreed with Ridenbaugh as they were camping for all four days.

Among them was Caren Lash, 18, who said she thought that more people from Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas seemed to attend Alive each year.

“A lot of churches come up,” said Lash. “I think it’s getting bigger and bigger.”

Alive also attracts those from out of the area as well. Tickets have been ordered from 40 states and Canada.

Kevin Sargent of Point Pleasant, W.Va., said this is his family’s third time at the festival that they attend with their church youth group.

Sargent was watching Christian rock artist Sarah Kelly perform on the Beach Stage. Among her songs was one called “Letting Go,” which she described as “chill out rock.”

“It’s a good environment for youth,” said Sargent.

The festival also features seminars geared toward teenagers, parents and worship.

Today’s bands include Toby Mac and Newsboys. Canton-based band Reliant K is scheduled to play Friday. The Alive Festival is sponsored by The Times-Reporter, The Canton Repository and The Massillon Independent.
By RYAN KARP T-R Staff Writer