GREENVILLE — This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Illumination: Light in the Darke Festival. To celebrate a decade of bringing the top Contemporary Christian music, the festival committee has put together an all-star lineup of artists to take the main stage at the Darke County Fairgrounds on September 17. This year’s artists include Matthew West, Building 429, Blanca and KJ-52.
After several years of working together and bringing in artists for concerts every now-and-then, Marty McCabe and Pat Harless wanted to expand their efforts and bring an event similar to Alive and Acquire the Fire to Greenville. The two began searching for a way to make it possible. A committee was formed and the festival was born. Past artists have included Toby Mac, Newsboys, MercyMe, Sanctus Real, Jeremy Camp, Big Daddy Weave, Brit Nicole, David Crowder and many more.
Not only does the Illumination Festival feature today’s top artists, it also features plenty of activities throughout the day leading up to the main concert. The committee is bringing back its high-ropes and zip-lining course, along with inflatables, laser tag and other games and activities beginning at 1 p.m. Also back for another year is the Coffee House. Come out and enjoy some of the region’s top Christian music artists. The Coffee House creates an atmosphere to either clap your hands and sing along or raise your hands in worship.
Coffee House artists for the 2016 festival include Kellen, Radiant, The Lasting Hope and Hannah Schaefer.
The timing for the Illumination Festival couldn’t be better since the community experienced Revive Ohio in August. To continue the revival in Darke County, Mark Burd, pastor of the First Heavy Metal Church, will be speaking about Revive Darke County following Blanca’s portion of the concert.
Visitors to the fairgrounds on September 17 are also invited to participate in Fish Choice Pantry’s Feed Darke County. Fish Choice Pantry is excited to be a part of the Illumination Festival by greeting and accepting non-perishable foods at the entrance to the fairgrounds again this year. Feed Darke County is the main fundraiser/food drive for the Fish Pantry and helps to supply the pantry for a large part of the year. If you would like more information on how to be involved with Fish or the Feed Darke County food drive, contact Kristy at 316-8420 or [email protected].
Tickets to the concert are $25 for Grandstand (general admission), $30 for Reserved Seats and the Track (no seats), and $50 for VIP (track seating in front of the stage). Prices go up $5 on the day of the show. Tickets are available online at www.darkecountyfair.com or at the fairgrounds box office, Bread of Life Bookstore in Greenville, Christian Bookstore in Union City and Trinity Gifts and Books in Richmond, Indiana.
