Creation Festival Announces Star-Studded '09 Lineup
Although only a few days have passed since the official start of spring, the lineups for two of the largest and most popular Christian music festivals of the summer have already been announced.
This year's Creation Festivals boast a powerhouse artist lineup that includes Relient K, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Skillet, Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson, David Crowder Band, Thousand Foot Krutch, Red and many more. Also featured during the days-long festivals will be world renowned speakers Joyce Meyer, Greg Laurie, Will Graham, and Ron Luce, among others.
As Creation Festival co-founder and director Harry Thomas puts it, "Creation is more than just fun and entertainment – it is a spiritually rewarding and enriching experience."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Nothing can compare to tens of thousands of people praising God together, being a part of the candle-lighting service, or even or watching young people being baptized," adds the church pastor. "We have ensured that the Festival features more than music and speaking and provides an overall experience that challenges Christians to be vessels and on fire for Christ – what happens at Creation changes one's walk with their Savior."
Founded in 1979 in Pennsylvania, the Creation Festival has become the largest event of its kind, adding a second event on the west coast in 1998. In 2005, Creation branched out internationally, giving birth to the Friendship Fest in the Muslim country of Morocco and later to festivals in Canada, Iceland, Switzerland, and France.
Last year, organizers of the popular festival launched the first-ever Creation Festival tour, which hit more than 30 cities across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Patterned after the Creation Festival the tour featured some of the top names in Christian music as well as local outreach to allow fans across the country to experience a taste of the annual 4-day events held in June and July in one night of music, teaching and fun.
This year, the 31st annual Creation Northeast will be held June 24-27 at the Agape Farm in the mountain ranges of Mount Union, Pa., and Creation Northwest will be marking its 12th year at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash., July 22-25.
In addition to the time of praise and worship each day, Creation Festivals offer a training conference for worship leaders, musicians and writers each afternoon and distinct seminar classes ranging from songwriting to hands-on training for bands to provide worship leaders and musicians an opportunity to come together for teaching and fellowship.
The festivals also provide additional entertainment and special features for all in attendance, including extreme games with climbing walls, spider jumps and sumo wrestling, a Skateboard and BMX ministry, a Gear Giveaway and a vendor Exhibit area with almost 200 booths with an assortment of merchandise and apparel available for purchase and ministries and colleges offering free literature and information.
"We stand by our loyal fans and hope to provide them with a fun, safe and enjoyable summer vacation for one low price," says Nick Kulb, director of Marketing & Sales for Creation.
The festival has been recognized twice in CCM Magazine's annual "Readers Choice Awards" as "Favorite Festival." It was also awarded the Gospel Music Association's "Lifetime Achievement Award," an honor that recognizes major contributions to the gospel music industry through a company's commitment to the Christian community for 20 or more years.
