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18,000 people expected each day at Clay's Park for one of largest Christian music events in U.S.
By Kim Hone-McMahan
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 12:04 p.m. EDT, Jun 10, 2009
It's a spiritual adventure where believers gather to listen to their favorite bands and let their souls sing. A 350-acre park with water slides, lush trees to nestle beneath on sweltering days and an amphitheater. A spot that's safe and family friendly.
Alive Festival 2009, one of the largest Christian music events in the nation, begins next Wednesday and runs through June 20 at Clay's Park Camping Resort, about 18 miles south of Akron. The economy may be bad, but the festival is expected to draw at least 18,000 each day.
''It's kind of undescribable,'' 15-year-old Shawna Hazlett of Green said about the first time she saw so many fans gathered in the amphitheater. ''It was shocking . . . ''
Though the number of people expected to attend is down slightly from a few years back, the recession certainly isn't having a deep impact on concert-goers at this venue.
In fact, director Bill Graening, who operates the festival with his wife, Kathy, said the economy seems to be having an opposite effect on the number of people attending this year's affair. For families who like to camp, as well as be entertained by some of the best musical groups and speakers in the world, it's an alternative to pricey vacations. And more people than ever seem to be interested in taking a faith-based trip.
The U.S. Travel Association reports that a quarter of travelers are interested in taking a spiritual vacation.
Add in the safety of such an event as Alive, and parents generally feel comfortable allowing their children to go on a pilgrimage with a group of like-minded friends.
This is the 22nd year for the Alive Festival, which began as a small outdoor gospel music event with 1,500 attendees at Bear Creek in Pike Township. Now, people come from 40 states, Canada and Europe.
''We've taken a group of around 25 to 30 to Alive for about eight years now,'' said Sue Nisly, one of the youth leaders at Hartville Mennonite Church. ''The kids love to go camping and listen to new, old and popular music groups.''
More than 60 artists and speakers will perform during the four-day event. Popular musicians include The Afters, Newsboys, Switchfoot and the David Crowder Band.
Shawna is looking forward to hearing Hawk Nelson, who is scheduled to perform Friday evening.
Missing last year was the Beach Stage, usually set up near the park's lake. It is returning this year, hosting Christian groups that are hard rock, but lyrically pure.
Among the metalcore bands is the Devil Wears Prada, a group that's been around longer than the movie of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.
Some of the entertainment on Wednesday and Thursday evenings will feature bands that use pyrotechnics.
''There will be lots of fire and blowing up of things,'' Graening joked, quickly adding that the organizers have taken every precaution to keep people safe.
Among the speakers are Reggie Dabbs, David Nasser, comedian Brad Stine and broadcaster Todd Blackledge, a former quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
An area that's expected to get lots of visitors is the Sports Zone, with special guests such as Hunter Smith of the Indianapolis Colts and former Green Bay Packers' defensive back Mike Murphy. This is also the spot where patrons can participate in free inflatable fun with a mechanical bull, rock climbing and giant slides.
For those who want to do some soul searching, the festival may just be the place. For believers, Alive isn't just a summer destination, it's a celebration that their savior is alive.
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
- What: Alive09
- When: June 17 through 20
- Where: Clay's Park, off state Route 93 south of Canal Fulton. The street address is 13190 Patterson Road, Lawrence Township.
- Tickets: An event wristband that allows admission to all concerts, swimming, camping, seminars and workshops during the four-day event is available at the gate: $125 for adults and $65 for children 5 to 11. One-day tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children 5 to 11.
- Information: For details about camping or to learn more about the festival, contact 330-966-0023 or visit http://www.alive.org.
It's a spiritual adventure where believers gather to listen to their favorite bands and let their souls sing. A 350-acre park with water slides, lush trees to nestle beneath on sweltering days and an amphitheater. A spot that's safe and family friendly.
Alive Festival 2009, one of the largest Christian music events in the nation, begins next Wednesday and runs through June 20 at Clay's Park Camping Resort, about 18 miles south of Akron. The economy may be bad, but the festival is expected to draw at least 18,000 each day.
''It's kind of undescribable,'' 15-year-old Shawna Hazlett of Green said about the first time she saw so many fans gathered in the amphitheater. ''It was shocking . . . ''
Though the number of people expected to attend is down slightly from a few years back, the recession certainly isn't having a deep impact on concert-goers at this venue.
In fact, director Bill Graening, who operates the festival with his wife, Kathy, said the economy seems to be having an opposite effect on the number of people attending this year's affair. For families who like to camp, as well as be entertained by some of the best musical groups and speakers in the world, it's an alternative to pricey vacations. And more people than ever seem to be interested in taking a faith-based trip.
The U.S. Travel Association reports that a quarter of travelers are interested in taking a spiritual vacation.
Add in the safety of such an event as Alive, and parents generally feel comfortable allowing their children to go on a pilgrimage with a group of like-minded friends.
This is the 22nd year for the Alive Festival, which began as a small outdoor gospel music event with 1,500 attendees at Bear Creek in Pike Township. Now, people come from 40 states, Canada and Europe.
''We've taken a group of around 25 to 30 to Alive for about eight years now,'' said Sue Nisly, one of the youth leaders at Hartville Mennonite Church. ''The kids love to go camping and listen to new, old and popular music groups.''
More than 60 artists and speakers will perform during the four-day event. Popular musicians include The Afters, Newsboys, Switchfoot and the David Crowder Band.
Shawna is looking forward to hearing Hawk Nelson, who is scheduled to perform Friday evening.
Missing last year was the Beach Stage, usually set up near the park's lake. It is returning this year, hosting Christian groups that are hard rock, but lyrically pure.
Among the metalcore bands is the Devil Wears Prada, a group that's been around longer than the movie of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.
Some of the entertainment on Wednesday and Thursday evenings will feature bands that use pyrotechnics.
''There will be lots of fire and blowing up of things,'' Graening joked, quickly adding that the organizers have taken every precaution to keep people safe.
Among the speakers are Reggie Dabbs, David Nasser, comedian Brad Stine and broadcaster Todd Blackledge, a former quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
An area that's expected to get lots of visitors is the Sports Zone, with special guests such as Hunter Smith of the Indianapolis Colts and former Green Bay Packers' defensive back Mike Murphy. This is also the spot where patrons can participate in free inflatable fun with a mechanical bull, rock climbing and giant slides.
For those who want to do some soul searching, the festival may just be the place. For believers, Alive isn't just a summer destination, it's a celebration that their savior is alive.
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
- What: Alive09
- When: June 17 through 20
- Where: Clay's Park, off state Route 93 south of Canal Fulton. The street address is 13190 Patterson Road, Lawrence Township.
- Tickets: An event wristband that allows admission to all concerts, swimming, camping, seminars and workshops during the four-day event is available at the gate: $125 for adults and $65 for children 5 to 11. One-day tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children 5 to 11.
- Information: For details about camping or to learn more about the festival, contact 330-966-0023 or visit http://www.alive.org.
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